Key Takeaways
• Dubai International Airport trained 45,000 staff by 2025, a 36% increase, for autism-inclusive services.
• DXB is the first airport certified as a Certified Autism Centre™ by IBCCES and Dubai Autism Centre.
• Emirates became the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™, training over 30,000 cabin and ground staff.
Dubai International Airport Leads the Way in Autism-Inclusive Travel
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has taken a major step forward in making travel more accessible for autistic and neurodiverse passengers. In early 2025, DXB hosted its first Autism Travel Walkthrough, marking a new era for inclusive travel in the United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪. This event, along with expanded autism-friendly services and training, is part of Dubai’s larger goal to become the world’s first Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD). The city’s efforts reflect a strong commitment to making travel easier and more comfortable for People of Determination, including those with hidden disabilities like autism.
What Happened and Why It Matters
In 2025, Dubai International Airport expanded its autism-inclusive training program to cover 45,000 employees. This is a 36% increase from the previous year. The training is accredited by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). It gives staff important skills in sensory awareness, communication, and ways to help reduce anxiety for autistic travelers. Employees from Dubai Police, Dubai Customs, Emirates, flydubai, and other airport partners all took part.
DXB is now the world’s first international airport to receive the Certified Autism Centre™ designation from IBCCES. It is also certified by the Dubai Autism Centre (DAC). These certifications mean that both the airport environment and its staff are ready to support neurodiverse travelers in a meaningful way.
The Autism Travel Walkthrough program is a hands-on, guided experience. It lets autistic travelers and their families practice airport procedures, from check-in to boarding, in a calm and sensory-friendly setting. This helps reduce travel anxiety and gives families more confidence when they travel.
Key Features and Services for Autistic Travelers
Dubai International Airport has introduced several services and facilities to make travel easier for autistic passengers and their families:
- Sunflower Lanyard Program: This program allows travelers with hidden disabilities to wear a sunflower lanyard. It quietly signals to staff that the person may need extra help. Travelers with the lanyard get access to priority lanes and special assistance throughout the airport.
- Assisted Travel Lounge: Located in Terminal 2, this lounge is a quiet, sensory-friendly space. It has calming lights and noise-reducing seating, giving travelers a peaceful place to relax.
- Complimentary Two-Hour Parking and Dedicated Taxis: Families can use free parking for two hours and have access to taxis that are ready to help with special needs.
- Wheelchair Services and Autism-Friendly Routes: The airport offers wheelchair services and has mapped out routes that are quieter and less crowded, making it easier for autistic travelers to move through the airport.
- DXB Travel Planner: This is an online visual guide that helps travelers and their families get ready for their journey. It shows what to expect at each step, making the process less stressful.
The Autism Travel Walkthrough is especially helpful. It lets families practice going through the airport before their actual trip. This hands-on experience helps children and adults with autism feel more comfortable and prepared.
Collaboration Across the Airport Community
Dubai Airports works closely with many partners to make sure the experience is smooth and supportive for neurodiverse travelers. These partners include Emirates Airline, Dubai Police, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs, Dubai Customs, and Dubai Duty Free. Together, they have created training programs and new ways of working that put autism awareness at the center of the travel experience.
Emirates Airline’s Role in Inclusive Travel
Emirates Airline has played a big part in these changes. In 2025, Emirates became the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™. More than 30,000 of its cabin crew and ground staff have been trained in autism-inclusive practices. Emirates also started a global ‘Travel Rehearsal’ program in 17 cities. This program lets children with autism practice airport and flight experiences before their real journey.
Onboard, Emirates has introduced sensory guides and special sensory products to help reduce stress and make the flight more comfortable for autistic passengers. These steps show a strong commitment to making travel easier for everyone.
Raising Awareness and Promoting Inclusion
During Autism Acceptance Month, Dubai International Airport lights up its Smart Gates in blue and displays sunflower symbols throughout its terminals. These actions help raise awareness and show support for the autism community.
Dubai’s Path to Becoming a Certified Autism Destination™
Dubai’s journey to becoming a Certified Autism Destination™ began in late 2023, when the airport first received autism certification. Since then, the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and IBCCES have led a city-wide strategy. The goal is to certify not just the airport, but also hotels, attractions, transportation, and service providers across Dubai. This will make the entire city more accessible for visitors with autism and sensory needs.
What This Means for Travelers
For autistic travelers and their families, these changes bring many benefits:
- More Predictable and Supportive Experience: The airport is now better prepared to meet the needs of neurodiverse travelers, making the journey less stressful.
- Sunflower Lanyard: This simple tool allows travelers to quietly let staff know they may need extra help, leading to shorter wait times and less sensory overload.
- Assisted Travel Lounge and Autism-Friendly Routes: These spaces and routes offer quiet, calming environments in the middle of a busy airport.
- Travel Planner and Autism Travel Walkthrough: These programs help families prepare and practice, making the actual travel day smoother.
- Sensory Aids and Trained Staff: Airlines like Emirates now offer sensory aids and have staff trained to support neurodiverse passengers throughout their journey.
Expert Voices on Dubai’s Inclusive Efforts
Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports, explained the importance of understanding and support:
“True inclusion starts with people. By investing and increasing specialist training by 36% year-on-year, we are embedding a culture of understanding and proactive support across our airports. DXB and DWC are more than airports – they are Dubai’s gateway to the world… ensuring every guest feels supported and included.”
Adel al Redha, Deputy President and COO of Emirates, spoke about the airline’s mission:
“We continue to work on this mission to make travel more inclusive… rolling out our Travel Rehearsal programme in cities across the globe to break barriers and make travel accessible for everyone.”
Myron Pincomb, CEO of IBCCES, praised Dubai’s leadership:
“Dubai is raising the bar for accessible tourism… ensuring that all visitors, including those with autism and sensory needs, can explore and experience everything Dubai has to offer with confidence and ease.”
How Dubai’s Approach Sets a Global Example
Dubai’s efforts go beyond just one airport or airline. The city is working to expand the network of Certified Autism Centers™ to more hotels, attractions, and transport services. This will make Dubai even more welcoming for neurodiverse travelers.
Emirates and Dubai Airports plan to keep adding new autism-friendly services and training. There are also plans to develop an official Autism-friendly inflight certification that other airlines can use. These steps show Dubai’s commitment to setting a global standard for inclusive travel.
Practical Steps for Travelers
If you or a family member is autistic and planning to travel through Dubai International Airport, here are some practical steps you can take:
- Request a Sunflower Lanyard: You can ask for a sunflower lanyard at the airport or through the Dubai Airports website. Wearing this lanyard lets staff know you may need extra help.
- Use the Assisted Travel Lounge: If you need a quiet place to relax, visit the Assisted Travel Lounge in Terminal 2.
- Plan Your Route: Use the DXB Travel Planner to see what to expect at each step of your journey.
- Practice with the Autism Travel Walkthrough: If possible, take part in the Autism Travel Walkthrough before your trip. This will help you and your family feel more comfortable on travel day.
- Contact Your Airline: If you are flying with Emirates, let them know about any special needs. They can provide sensory aids and make sure trained staff are available to help.
For more information about these services, you can visit the Dubai Airports Hidden Disabilities and Autism Services page.
Why This Matters for Immigration and Global Mobility
As more people travel for work, study, or to join family, airports play a key role in making these journeys possible. For immigrants and visitors with autism, a supportive airport experience can make a big difference. Dubai International Airport’s focus on autism inclusion helps remove barriers and makes it easier for everyone to travel safely and comfortably.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Dubai’s approach is likely to influence other airports and cities around the world. By showing what is possible, Dubai sets a strong example for how to create welcoming spaces for all travelers, including those with hidden disabilities.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Dubai and Inclusive Travel
Dubai’s work is not finished. The city plans to keep expanding its network of Certified Autism Centers™. More hotels, attractions, and transport services will become autism-friendly. Emirates and Dubai Airports will continue to add new services and training. There are also plans to create an official Autism-friendly inflight certification that other airlines can use.
Dubai’s government, airlines, and service providers are working together to set a global benchmark for inclusive travel. Their goal is to make sure Dubai remains a leading destination for accessible tourism.
Official Resources and Where to Get Help
If you need more information or want to use these services, here are some helpful links:
- Dubai Airports Hidden Disabilities and Autism Services: dubaiairports.ae/hidden-disabilities
- Emirates Autism Certified Airline Information: emirates.com/media-centre
- Certified Autism Destination™ Program: Information is available through IBCCES and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Takeaways for Travelers and Families
- Dubai International Airport is now a leader in autism-inclusive travel.
- The Autism Travel Walkthrough and other services make travel easier for autistic and neurodiverse passengers.
- Staff at DXB and Emirates are trained to provide support and understanding.
- Dubai’s goal to become a Certified Autism Destination™ will make the whole city more accessible.
- Families can use the Sunflower Lanyard, Assisted Travel Lounge, and Travel Planner to make their journey smoother.
Final Thoughts
Dubai International Airport’s efforts show what is possible when a city puts inclusion and accessibility first. By hosting the first Autism Travel Walkthrough and expanding autism-friendly services, Dubai is making travel better for everyone. These changes help families, individuals, and immigrants feel welcome and supported as they move through one of the world’s busiest airports.
As Dubai continues to grow as a Certified Autism Destination™, travelers can look forward to even more support and understanding. Whether you are visiting for work, study, or to join family, Dubai’s commitment to inclusion means you can travel with greater confidence and comfort.
For more details on autism-friendly travel at Dubai International Airport, visit the official Dubai Airports Hidden Disabilities and Autism Services page. This resource provides up-to-date information on the Sunflower Lanyard, Assisted Travel Lounge, Travel Planner, and other helpful services.
Dubai’s leadership in this area is setting a new global standard, making the world of travel more open and welcoming for everyone.
Learn Today
Autism Travel Walkthrough → A guided practice session for autistic travelers to familiarize with airport procedures in a sensory-friendly way.
Certified Autism Centre™ → An accreditation by IBCCES indicating an environment and staff trained to support autistic travelers effectively.
Sunflower Lanyard Program → A discreet identification system allowing travelers with hidden disabilities to access assistance and priority services.
IBCCES → International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards that certifies autism training and destinations.
Travel Rehearsal Program → An Emirates initiative allowing autistic children to practice airport and flight experiences beforehand.
This Article in a Nutshell
Dubai International Airport is pioneering autism-inclusive travel with certified training for 45,000 staff and sensory-friendly services. It hosts immersive Autism Travel Walkthroughs and offers special tools like sunflower lanyards and quiet lounges, helping neurodiverse travelers navigate their journeys comfortably and confidently in a world-first Certified Autism Destination™ setting.
— By VisaVerge.com
