To get on the other side of security. Presumably this was in the international baggage pickup or something.

The slightly cheaper tactic may be to actually to buy a fully refundable fare (usually for thousands) for much later in the day, and then cancel it and ask for a full refund.

(This is also how airport lounge abuse is done.)

Fully refundable tickets are awesome. My old company had a contract where all international business travels to customer sites must purchase fully refundable business class tickets. I remember someone had to cancel their travel just before boarding, and the airline refunded everything no questions asked.

To get through security and make his way to arrivals from within the airport, I guess.