Emirates airline has issued important travel advice ahead of a peak travel period for the Eid Al Adha holiday.
Anticipating thousands of people to fly with Emirates from June 1-9, the airline has urged travellers to plan ahead to avoid delays and to arrive early at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3.
Notably, Dubai International Airport welcomed a record-breaking 92.3 million passengers last year. The hub is forecast to handle 96 million passengers this year.
Passengers are asked to arrive up to three hours before their flight departs and to take note of their boarding times to make sure they reach the departure gate on time.
Check-in desks in Dubai will be open 24 hours before any departing flights, and anyone flying with Emirates can even drop off their luggage a day before departure. (Similar to the services introduced by Delhi last year; details here).
If you’re travelling to the UAE, then check-in will be open 12 hours before your flight, and bags can be dropped off early.
Passengers can also check in from home, office or hotel when staying in Dubai or Sharjah, as agents will pick up any luggage at least 24 hours before a flight.
Check-in can also be completed online or via the Emirates app and you can pick up a digital boarding pass.
Anyone flying with Emirates has been advised to clear passport control and security 90 minutes before their departure time and reach their gate no later than an hour before their flight if booked in premium economy or economy class.
If you’re flying in first class or business class on these dates, then you should be at the gate 45 minutes before departure.
Boarding gates will close 20 minutes before departures, and anyone who arrives late won’t be accepted for travel.
The airline added that all passengers, except those travelling to the United States, can check in and drop off luggage at the brand’s travel store at ICD Brookfield Place in DIFC up to four hours before flying. If your journey starts in the northern Emirates, then you can also check in for your flight at Ajman Central Bus Terminal from 24 hours up to four hours before your flight.
The peak travel period comes in the lead-up to the four-day long weekend for Eid Al Adha and lasts until a day after the official holiday ends. Checking in early ensures that passengers avoid long queues at the airport before making it through security.
(With inputs from a news report)