As the school term ends and holiday season begins, Dubai-based Emirates airline is expecting more than 1.1 million passengers to travel through Terminal 3 at Dubai International during the busy holiday period until 21 December. This weekend alone will see a peak surge of around 250,000 travellers departing from Terminal 3.

Arrive early at the airport

The Emirates airline is encouraging passengers to arrive at least three hours prior to their flight departure and with all the required documents for their destination before they proceed to the check-in desk.

To expedite the process and ensure a smoother departure, passengers can avoid the rush by physically checking-in 24 hours before flight departure, drop off their bags and collect their boarding passes, through the 32 self-service bag drop machines and 16 check-in kiosks at Terminal 3.

Travellers using the self-service kiosk are still required to complete their immigration formalities no later than 60 minutes before flight departure. Travellers can also check in online up to 48 hours and until 90 minutes before flight departure and download their digital boarding passes on phones for selected destinations.

People who check in less than 60 minutes before departure will not be permitted to travel. To even further speed up the process, customers can use Emirates' biometric path in Terminal 3 for a contactless journey from specific check-in desks, Emirates lounges and boarding gates. The biometric path permits customers complete immigration formalities and board their flights with virtually no document checks and ques.

Gates open 90 minutes before flight departure

Once they check in, passengers are advised to arrive on time at their boarding gate. Gates open 90 minutes before departure, boarding starts 45 minutes before the flight and gates close 20 minutes before departure.

Emirates airline will not accept passengers who report late to the boarding gate. Check-in and gate closure guidelines will be strictly adhered to ensure on schedule flights departure and to avoid any operational impact.

Authorities prepared for any surge

All Emirates and DXB touchpoints are all prepared for managing any surge in holiday passenger traffic. Measures and protocols are in place that have been designed to enhance safety as travellers pass through Terminal 3.

Industry-leading contactless technologies and biometric journeys, Emirates customers will experience their airport journey as safe and smooth as possible. This includes robust and consistent cleaning protocols for airport’s high traffic areas such as seats and handrails. Furthermore, modern cleaning technologies for surfaces in Emirates' dedicated lounges will ensure to keep them germ free for longer, social distancing measures through floor markings, signage and airport employees managing the flow of passengers safely; hand sanitising stations as well as Plexiglas partitions at all Emirates check-in desks.

Covid-19 advisories

— Check travel regulations before flying

The UAE airlines advise travellers to check continuously the travel requirements of their destinations. It’s necessary to carry copies of Covid-19 vaccination certificates to help immediately submit them when requested by authorities of other countries. Download Al Hosn app which contains all the updated data about vaccinations.

— 7 African countries

From November 29, entry of travellers from seven African countries South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique was suspended due to Omicron variant spread. This includes no entry of passengers who were in these countries 14 days before coming to the UAE.

— Get booster shots before travelling

UAE residents planning to travel abroad, it’s highly recommended to receive booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine. The National Crisis & Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) has advised residents aged more than 18 years to receive the booster shot six months after taking the second dose of Pfizer and Sputnik V.

Emirates has introduced comprehensive safety measures during entire customer journey. The airline has also recently introduced contactless technology and modernized its digital verification capabilities to enable customers more opportunities to utilise the IATA Travel Pass, that can be now used across 50 airports served by Emirates.

WAM