The UK and Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral agreement allowing British passengers transiting through Saudi airports to remain airside without repeating full security checks. Previously, transit passengers had to clear security upon arrival before connecting flights—a time-consuming process that often caused long queues and delays.
How It Helps Passengers
The new arrangement saves time and effort by allowing UK travelers to easily connect between flights in Saudi Arabia, such as in Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam, without having to rescreen. It is anticipated that the action will improve the traveler experience on one of the busiest international air corridors and drastically cut down on transfer times.
Why At This Time?
The agreement echoes the UK’s recent ETA simplification for Heathrow transits and carries on the country’s efforts to streamline international transit hubs. Davidson Morris’s website. As part of its Vision 2030 expansion as a global aviation hub, Saudi Arabia hopes to draw in more transit travelers by providing easier connections and more effective procedures.
