Time for the Zhuhr Prayer is due before the plane takes off

Q: There are some people who travel on the Air Forces aircraft, some of whom live on the air base in Al-Zhahran and others in Al-Khubar, Al-Thuqbah or Al-Dammam. If the time for the Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer becomes due before the plane takes off, and they are waiting in the airport, some of them combine and shorten the Zhuhr (Part No. 6; Page No. 448) and ‘Asr (Afternoon) Prayers, others combine both Salah (Prayers) and do not shorten them, and a third group performs the Zhuhr Prayer only? What is the correct option in these circumstances? Please give us Fatwa (legal opinion by a qualified Muslim scholar) on this and may Allah reward you with the best!

A: Those who live on the air bases should perform the Zhuhr Prayer in full, if its prescribed time becomes due before traveling; they should not combine the ‘Asr Prayer with the Zhuhr Prayer, as they have not yet commenced their travel. Those who live in cites outside the bases, whose buildings are separated from the air bases, are permitted to combine and shorten the Zhuhr and ‘Asr Prayers, if the time for Zhuhr Prayer arrives before traveling, because they will have commenced their travel by then.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.