Abu Husain’s business began to expand, courtesy of the inheritance he received from his father. Initially, he owned a modest enterprise that he managed alongside his trustworthy and astute employee, Abu Mazen. For nearly three decades, Abu Mazen resided in a compact, three-room apartment belonging to Abu Husain’s aunt. He continued living there even after becoming a father of four, enduring the constraints of limited and modest accommodations. In due course, with the assistance of Abu Mazen, Abu Husain struck a lucrative deal with a Turkish company, which ushered in substantial wealth.
In recognition of Abu Mazen’s contributions, Abu Husain rewarded him with an opulent residence in an upscale residential enclave. The house boasted four bedrooms, a garden, a swimming pool, a courtyard, an expansive rooftop, and quarters for domestic staff. This new reality presented Abu Mazen with privileges he never envisaged when residing in that small flat he thought would be his lifelong abode.
However, Abu Mazen found himself grappling with financial, social, and psychological challenges. He was torn between not wanting to exhaust his savings on furnishing the new spacious house and being unable to part with his old furniture; the same furniture that had become an integral part of his life over three decades. This furniture witnessed his life’s milestones -- moments of relaxation, shisha smoking, television watching, his first marital experiences, and watching his eldest son grow. Abandoning the flat and the old furniture was a formidable emotional struggle, laden with nostalgia.
Moreover, adapting to the demands of the sophisticated neighborhood proved difficult for his children; suppressing inappropriate language, smiling at neighbors, and interacting cordially with them as part of the elite class posed challenges, even though their origins were different. Abu Mazen’s journey is akin to that of our international airport as we approach the transition to the new one, expected within two to three years. We may discover that we are inadequately prepared for this transition. An airport is not solely about well-designed physical structures; it is an integrated system. It embodies a culture of polite passenger interaction and respect.
An airport is more than just arrivals and departures; it encapsulates a fusion of a new ethos and advanced technology, unfamiliar to us. We have been accustomed to an airport lacking in nearly every aspect. Hence, a cultural shift is imperative before moving to the new airport. This transition necessitates substantial training, overseen by a new administration armed with a fresh vision. The new airport cannot be efficiently managed by the same mindsets that have guided the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Multiple foreign passengers and a significant number of Kuwaiti witnesses, along with reports from international indices, attest to the fact that Kuwait International Airport is the weakest in the region, not only in terms of infrastructure but also in its harsh treatment of passengers, save for isolated instances. My hope is that the new international airport is entrusted to a team of professionals for management. I wish for the overhaul of the current system, starting anew with the selection of individuals committed to unbiased and courteous passenger interactions, irrespective of their nationality.
My aspiration is to see the military ambiance of the airport fade, transforming it into a civilian institution with security protocols concealed behind the scenes. Modern airports rely on surveillance cameras and advanced technology to ensure security, rather than human interventions. The question that remains: Will Abu Mazen’s nostalgia catch up with me?
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