Flying from Abu Dhabi Airport: Etihad Airways has tips to ensure hassle free travel

Image credit: WAM

The UAE is gearing up for the summer travel rush. Dubai Airport, the world’s busiest international airport, is expected to welcome 3.5 million guests during the Eid Al Adha holidays starting June 27. Additionally, passenger traffic is expected to be at record highs during the summer holidays as schools close for the year in July.

Similarly, Etihad Airways is set to welcome more than four million passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport from June 20 to September 30.

Essa Al Shamsi, SVP of Terminal Operations at Dubai Airports, said, “Seasonal peaks this year are expected to be the busiest since 2019, and we are preparing ourselves accordingly.”

Emirates Airlines which operates from Terminal 3 at Dubai Airport (DXB) has recommended that passengers take time to plan their travel journey to avoid the last-minute rush as departure numbers peak significantly just before Eid al Adha on 24 June, and again on July 1 as many families set off on summer holidays.

Arrive early

More than 80,000 passengers are expected to depart Dubai on busy days. June 24 is forecast to handle a departure load of nearly 100,000 passengers across DXB.
Emirates Airlines has advised passengers to arrive at their respective terminals up to 3 hours before a flight.

The airline also says that passengers should ensure that they reach the departure gate well ahead of time based on the information on their boarding passes.

For flights to the US, Etihad reminds passengers that check-in closes two hours before flights depart. Travellers can use Etihad’s preclearance facility to process US immigration before leaving the UAE.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi International Airport has special arrangements for pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. Passengers can make use of special check-in counters which serve traditional Arabic coffee, dates and refreshments.

Check-in online

Online check-in is always recommended to ensure seat confirmation. Passengers flying Emirates can use the app or the website to check-in in advance and receive their digital passes.

Online check-ins also allow passengers to select their meal preferences or make last-minute changes to their flight schedules depending on availability. Online check-in and app check-in are open 48 hours ahead of flight departure time.

Drop luggage beforehand

The national flag carriers, Emirates Airlines, and Etihad Airways have opened city check-in facilities as well as early bag drop facilities to reduce airport queue times.

Travellers flying Emirates can drop off luggage at the airport the night before travel at no charge.

Passengers who are departing from Dubai can check in early and drop off their bags 24 hours before departure, or 12 hours before departure if flying to the US or Tel Aviv. This allows passengers to arrive at the airport closer to departure time, and proceed directly to immigration.

Emirates has opened a city check-in and travel store in ICD Brookfield Place, Dubai International Financial Centre.

Those starting their journeys from Ajman can also take advantage of a 24-hour city check-in at Ajman Central Bus Terminal. Passengers can check-in up to 4 hours before the flight departs, drop off their baggage, and collect boarding passes, buy a bus ticket for AED 20 and head directly to Emirates Terminal 3. Bus scheduled start at 4am until 11.30pm.

Guests flying with Etihad will be able to check-in at Morafiq’s city check-in facility at the Mina Zayed and Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). From June 19 to August 19, guests who check in at any of the two locations will receive 2500 Etihad Guest Miles.

The Mina Zayed facility will be open 24 hours a day throughout the week while ADNEC will operate between 9 am to 9 pm. Guests can check-in 24 hours to 4 hours before their flight.

Avoid queues with self-check-in kiosks

Passengers can choose to use self-check-in kiosks at the airport if they haven’t checked in online. It’s possible to view the travel itinerary, choose a preferred seat and add Emirates Skywards numbers, and use the baggage drop area to check in bags.

People of Determination

People of Determination can access dedicated support from trained Emirates and airport staff when travelling over the summer period. This includes a pre-planning guide for DXB for those with hidden disabilities, 2 hours of complimentary parking at the airport and access to a dedicated priority lane for check-in, passport control, security and priority boarding if required.