DUBAI: Dubai Airports is advising customers flying out of Dubai this weekend to beat the holiday traffic and ensure a smooth start to their journey by arriving early to the airport. With schools closing for the winter break, signalling the start of the holiday season, Dubai International (DXB), the world’s busiest international airport, is preparing to welcome more than 1 million customers between Thursday and Sunday.
On its part, Dubai Airports is working with airlines and other service partners to ensure a smooth flow of traffic through the airport and minimise the impact of the seasonal rush on the quality of customer service across DXB. Customers can make the most of the food, entertainment, shopping and relaxation opportunities lined up for them at DXB and enjoy live performances as part of the airport’s musicDXB programme.
Dubai Airports has also issued tips to help passengers make their journeys during the holiday travel peak smoother.
Travel Tips
• Be sure to check which airport and terminal you are departing from/arriving into beforehand. Passengers can confirm with their airline or check www.dubaiairports.ae.
• Arrive early to the airport. It is best to leave a minimum of three hours for check-in and passport control. Take into consideration daily rush hours and available routes in calculating your commuting time to the airport.
• Leave extra time for your journey to the airport as the roads can be very busy during holiday season.
• Check with the airline in advance for information on your baggage allowance. Irrespective of the allowance, a single unit of baggage weighing more than 32kgs will not be accepted at check-in. You should expect to be charged for baggage more than the limit set by your respective airline.
• It is always simpler to pack liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) in your check-in baggage. However, if you must carry LAGs in your hand luggage, make sure they are in a clear re-sealable plastic bag. Each item should not be more than 100ml and the total content of all items should not be more than one litre.
• Beat the queues by checking-in online. Customers with baggage can make use of the quick-baggage drop counters, while those carrying only hand luggage can proceed directly to Immigration.
• Remember to put anything metal – watch, jewellery, mobile phone, coins, belt – into your hand luggage well before you arrive at the X-ray machine. This will save time at security screening.
• Eligible visitors (nationals of countries that get visa on arrival) and UAE residents (Emirates ID card) can use smart gates to avoid queuing at passport control, both while arriving and on departure.
• You can choose DXB’s special package that allows a family of four to check in at Terminal 3 for their flight up to 12 hours before, get through security and head into departures starting their holiday in completely stress-free way. Perfect for those early morning flights the package turns the airport into a playground to explore, play and eat. Travellers can settle in for a good night’s sleep before the whole family wakes up fresh and ready to travel just minutes from the aircraft. It is the ultimate start to a holiday and affordable enough to be considered more than just a luxury. (more details here).
• Irrespective of your class of travel, the Al Majlis VIP service eases your journey through the airport, speeding you through check-in, immigration and baggage clearance – even assisting with travel documentation – while you relax in luxurious lounges. (more detail here). BIZ TODAY MONITOR
