Emirates set to become world's first Autism Certified Airline

Policy

Ali Mubarak Al Soori Chief Procurement & Facilities Officer | Emirates Airline

By Sky Industry News

Jan 8, 2025

Emirates is on track to become the first airline globally to receive the Autism Certified Airline designation. This initiative is part of Emirates' commitment to making air travel more inclusive and accessible, aligning with Dubai's goal of becoming a leading accessible destination.

The certification process involved collaboration with IBCCES, an organization specializing in autism and neurodiversity training. Emirates and IBCCES conducted extensive research, including surveys involving over 14,000 individuals with disabilities and feedback from industry professionals. The result was the development of new standards for accommodating passengers with autism and sensory sensitivities.

As part of this initiative, Emirates will train more than 30,000 staff members in autism and sensory awareness. This training aims to equip staff with skills to address the needs of travelers with autism and their families effectively. It builds on previous training completed by 23,000 staff members in 2023.

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In addition to staff training, Emirates plans to introduce new services throughout 2025. These include 'sensory guides,' digital aids that help travelers make informed decisions about their environments, and neurodiverse sensory products like fidget toys on flights.

Emirates has already achieved significant milestones in this area. In April 2024, it received a Certified Autism Center Designation for its Dubai Check-In facilities at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport (DXB). Dubai Airport itself became the first international airport to receive such a designation in December 2023.

These efforts are part of a broader strategy involving collaboration between Emirates, Dubai Airports, Dubai Tourism, and other local authorities. The goal is to make travel more comfortable for neurodiverse customers while supporting Dubai's vision as a Certified Autism Destination (CAD) in the Eastern Hemisphere.

IBCCES continues to provide global standards for training and certification in cognitive disorders. Its programs are recognized worldwide as benchmarks for improving outcomes for individuals with autism and other cognitive disorders.