Does the traveler begin combining and shortening prayers from the airport?

The questioner : Okay, I would like to ask a question on the same issue, O Shaykh. If the journey has begun, he combines and shortens. O Shaykh, at the airport, after finishing the passport work and entering the aircraft area, is this considered the beginning of the journey such that it is permissible for him to combine and shorten in an airport located within the city?

The Shaykh : No. As you know, in Arabic, travel is leaving the town and leaving the built-up area. So, for example, here in Amman, we have an airport that our house overlooks; it was in the middle of the city. It is not permissible for him to begin the rulings of travel until the plane takes off and crosses the borders of Amman. However, the current Amman airport, which they call Amman International Airport, is outside the city. So, if he drives his car or hires a car to go to the plane, boards it, and leaves the built-up area of Amman, the rulings of travel begin at that time because the airport is outside the city. The situation differs from one airport to another: if the airport is inside the city, he does not begin shortening and combining; and if it is outside the city, it is permissible.