From where does the pilgrim arriving from America by plane to Jeddah enter the state of ihram?

The questioner : Yes, that is good. Well, Shaykh, regarding the pilgrim, if the plane comes from America and wants to land at Jeddah Airport, from where does this traveler enter the state of ihram?

The Shaykh : From the point where the plane is level with the nearest miqat to it, and I think it is al-Juhfah.

The questioner : Al-Juhfah. Well, Shaykh, the geographical view suggests that if you draw a straight line between the two miqats to identify the cities adjacent to them, you find that it is approximately Jeddah. If that is the case, does he do the same?

The Shaykh : It is very difficult for me to imagine the validity of this geographical view. This is the west, and the plane is coming from America and other places, and here is al-Juhfah, and here is another miqat. What is it? Yalamlam, or what?

The questioner : Yalamlam, Yemen. Yes.

The Shaykh : Well, meaning, in the middle of the ruler representing the distance, it is not closer to here, nor is it closer to there at all, especially given the precise measurements in the modern era. In any case, every question has an answer. If the matter is so, then it is so. But if it is closer to here and a bit far from Jeddah forward, it is not permissible for them to enter the state of ihram from Jeddah, but rather from before that.

The questioner : So, Shaykh, does he align with one of the miqats?

The Shaykh : Yes, but to whichever is closer.

The questioner : To whichever is closer? He does not align with itself, but is between them?

The Shaykh : No, being between them is not an option. To whichever is closer.