Emirates has taken a significant step towards making travel more accessible by earning the Certified Autism CenterTM designation for its facilities in Dubai. The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) awarded this recognition.
It covers Emirates' four check-in locations across the city and the main hub in Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport. The certification was presented by Myron Pincomb, CEO of IBCCES, and received by Mohammed Mattar, Emirates' DSVP of Airport Services, and his team.
Emirates Achieves Autism-Friendly Travel Milestone
This new certification means that Emirates has met the stringent requirements necessary to ensure a comfortable and supportive experience for travelers with autism and their families.
As part of this initiative, Emirates staff underwent specialized training to better understand and respond to the needs of neurodiverse travelers. As per Breaking Travel News, audits of the facilities also measured sensory inputs such as noise, lighting, and potential sights and smells.
This led to the creation of sensory guides to help travelers choose the best environments for their needs.
The move by Emirates aligns with Dubai's broader goal, supported by the Department of Economy and Tourism, to become the first Certified Autism Destination in the Middle East.
This certification builds on the previous recognition of Dubai International Airport as the first international airport with such a designation.
In addition to making travel more inclusive, Emirates offers various check-in options at their City Check-In facilities. These include agent-assisted, robot-assisted, and self-service kiosks, allowing travelers to check in for flights up to 24 hours in advance.
This effort is part of a larger collaboration involving several Dubai entities, including the police and customs, to support travelers with diverse needs.
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Airline Reports Record Profit as Travel Demand Soars
Emirates airline announced a record annual profit of 17.2 billion dirhams ($4.7 billion) for the financial year 2023-2024 on Monday, marking a 63% increase from the previous year. According to CNBC, this achievement is the highest in the history of the Dubai-based carrier, attributed to a robust recovery in the travel sector and an expanded route network.
The airline, which is the flag carrier of the UAE's commercial hub, experienced a significant rise in passenger numbers, carrying 51.9 million people, up 19% from the year before.
This increase in passengers contributed to a 21% rise in seat capacity, signaling a near return to pre-pandemic operations.
Revenue for Emirates surged by 13% to reach 121.2 billion dirhams, with a total airline capacity growth of 20%.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates chairman and CEO, credited the strong performance to swift adaptations to meet high global travel demands and sustained investment in services and partnerships.
Overall, the Emirates Group, which includes the airline and its ground handling division dnata, reported a record profit of 18.7 billion dirhams, up 71% from last year.
Ending the year with a historical high cash balance, Emirates remains on an expansion trajectory, with plans to introduce over 300 new passenger jets and develop a massive new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport.
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