Emirates hosted its first “Travel Rehearsal” programme in Denpasar, aimed at making air travel more predictable and comfortable for individuals with accessible travel requirements.
As part of Emirates’
“Accessible Travel for All” approach, the Travel Rehearsal was first launched
in the airline’s hub, Dubai, in 2024 with 30 families to reinforce Emirates’
commitment to making air travel more accessible and inclusive for all passengers.
Since then, it has
been brought to more cities worldwide, including Barcelona, Brisbane, Dubai,
Manila, Madrid, Toronto, and now to Denpasar.
To better understand autism, sensory
sensitivities, and appropriate support mechanisms, more than 30,000 Emirates
cabin crew and ground staff have undergone specialised training.
Bringing inclusive
travel to life in Denpasar
On February 18, the Travel Rehearsal welcomed 17
participants at the Denpasar International Airport (DPS) - eight children with
autism along with guardians including teachers and a parent - who were invited
to experience a guided simulation of the complete air travel journey.
The session was
designed to help neurodiverse children familiarise themselves with the travel
process and reduce anxiety associated with sensory-rich airport environments.
Participants were
guided through each stage of the journey, including arrival at the
International Drop Zone, check-in procedures, security screening, immigration,
boarding, cabin seating and inflight experience, disembarkation, arrival
immigration, baggage claim, customs clearance, and the final pick-up area.
By experiencing these
steps in advance, the children and their families gain confidence and
reassurance before embarking on actual travel journeys.
Majid Al Falasi,
Emirates County Manager Indonesia, said:“Last year, Emirates became the world’s
first Autism Certified Airline, demonstrating the airline's long-term
commitment to accessible travel. Through the efforts of Emirates’ Autism Centre
and their partners, we were fortunate enough to bring this travel rehearsal to
Denpasar and play an active role in enhancing the travel experience for people
with accessible travel requirements.
Al Falasi added: “We thank our partners for contributing to this initiative including PT JAS Airport Services (GHA), PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, Immigration Authorities, Quarantine and Customs officials and CAA – Airport Authority Region IV. This milestone not only reflects Bali’s importance as a global destination, but also Emirates’ commitment to inclusive travel across its network.” -TradeArabia News Service