Emirates Hosts Travel Rehearsal at Istanbul Airport

Emirates conducted its “Travel Rehearsal” programme at Istanbul Airport, welcoming autistic children and their families to experience the airport journey in a structured setting. The initiative forms part of the airline’s broader accessible travel programme, which is being introduced across 17 airports in its global network.

The Travel Rehearsal programme is designed to help individuals on the autism spectrum become familiar with each stage of air travel. Participants are guided through airport transfers, check-in, passport control, lounge access and an aircraft tour, allowing families to understand the process before an actual flight better.

The airline became the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline after more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff completed autism awareness training. The programme provides employees with knowledge of the autism spectrum and practical approaches to supporting passengers with disabilities.

To date, travel rehearsals have been conducted in Dubai, Barcelona, Brussels, Budapest, Christchurch, Durban, Istanbul, Luanda, Madrid, Nice, Oslo, Paris and Venice, with additional destinations expected to join the programme.