Emirates on track to become world's first 'Autism Certified Airline'

Emirates

Emirates on track to become world's first 'Autism Certified Airline'

January 15, 2025

As part of Emirates journey to become the world's first 'Autism Certified Airline', the carrier will introduce sensory guides to flying and hand out neurodiverse toys. Olivia Palamountain reports

Emirates is planning to become the world's first Autism Certified Airline™ and is expected to receive official certification from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) in the coming months.

This follows the completion of specialised training by more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff members and marks a significant step forward in making air travel more accessible for passengers with autism and sensory sensitivities.

The move comes in response to research that shows that 78% of families affected by autism are hesitant to travel, whilst 94% would take more holidays if they had access to autism-trained and certified facilities. The initiative supports Dubai's broader ambition to establish itself as the world's most accessible destination.

As part of the certification process, IBCCES conducted extensive research involving over 14,000 people with various disabilities, including individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities.

The organisation also analysed feedback from 1,200 industry professionals and performed multiple flight audits on both long-haul and short-haul Emirates routes.

Throughout 2025, Emirates plans to introduce several new features for passengers with autism, including "sensory guides" - digital tools that will help travellers understand and prepare for various environmental aspects of their journey, from check-in to landing.

The airline also intends to provide neurodiverse sensory products, such as fidget toys, to help passengers remain comfortable during flights.

The achievement builds upon Emirates' existing foundation in accessible travel, with 23,000 staff members having already completed the airline's "Introduction to Autism and Hidden Disabilities" training in 2023.

The initiative follows Dubai International Airport's achievement in December 2023 as the first international airport to receive the Certified Autism Centre™ designation. Emirates has also secured certification for all four of its Dubai check-in facilities, including its dedicated hub in Terminal 3.

The airline's efforts align with Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism's vision to become the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere, working in collaboration with various local authorities including Dubai Airports, Dubai Police, and Dubai Customs.

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