Tourexpi
Emirates has introduced its Travel Rehearsal programme
at Istanbul Airport (IGA), extending the airline’s accessibility initiatives to
Turkey. The programme enables autistic children and their families to
experience the full airport and travel process in a controlled, supportive
environment prior to an actual journey.
The initiative forms part of Emirates’ broader
“Accessible Travel for All” strategy and is being progressively implemented
across 17 airports within the airline’s global network. The concept is designed
to make air travel more predictable for individuals on the autism spectrum by
familiarising participants with procedures, sensory environments and
operational routines.
Simulating the travel journey
During the Istanbul event, participants were guided
through each stage of the passenger journey, including airport arrival,
check-in, passport control, lounge access and an aircraft tour. The rehearsal
format allows families to understand and prepare for potential stress factors
associated with air travel, helping to reduce anxiety and build confidence.
Mehmet Gurkaynak, Emirates Country Manager for Turkey,
Romania and Bulgaria, highlighted the significance of the programme’s
expansion. “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 our partners at IGA, we are
proud to bring this initiative to Istanbul.”
He emphasised the role of collaboration in advancing
inclusive travel practices. “This milestone reflects the importance of working
with like-minded stakeholders to ensure a more inclusive travel industry.”
Training as the foundation of accessibility
Emirates’ accessibility framework is underpinned by
extensive staff training. The airline became the world’s first Autism-Certified
Airline after more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground employees completed
specialised autism awareness programmes.
The training focuses on understanding the autism
spectrum, recognising common challenges during travel and applying
individualised support strategies. The objective is to equip frontline teams
with practical tools to respond effectively to passengers with diverse
accessibility requirements.
Growing global rollout
Emirates has already conducted Travel Rehearsal
programmes at multiple international gateways, including Dubai, Barcelona,
Brussels, Budapest, Christchurch, Durban, Istanbul, Luanda, Madrid, Nice, Oslo,
Paris and Venice. The airline reports that additional destinations are being
added on a regular basis.
Further information is available at www.emirates.com.
Image
Credit: © Emirates Airlines
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