Emirates says more than 200,000 passengers will be arriving in Dubai over next two weeks

Dubai-based carrier Emirates is expecting more than 200,000 passengers to travel through Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport during the Christmas holiday period as UAE residents and citizens head home or abroad.

The busiest day for the airline will be on Friday, December 11, although high passenger traffic is expected to start today, December 8, and will run through December 21.

Emirates expects peak holiday travel period from today. We urge customers departing from Terminal 3 @DXB to arrive at least 3 hours ahead of departure to allow extra time for check-in and security screening. https://t.co/ewGjV3RiAW#FlyEmiratesFlyBetter pic.twitter.com/uHcgmTCYhN

— Emirates Airline (@emirates) December 8, 2020

In addition, more than 200,000 passengers will be arriving into Dubai on Emirates flights during that same period. Customers are reminded to check the latest travel requirements to their booked destination, and to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight departure.

Passengers are encouraged to build in extra time into their journey to avoid delays. Those physically checking in at the airport are requested to do so no later than 3 hours prior to departure, regardless of class of travel.

Customers who present themselves less than 60 minutes prior to their scheduled flight departure will not be accepted for travel. They can also check in online 48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departure. Those who opt to check-in online are reminded to visit the Emirates check-in counters at the airport to collect their boarding pass and to verify travel documents required for each destination country.

Customers are also urged to use the convenient self check-in and bag drop kiosks available to all destinations except to the US, Canada, China, India and Hong Kong due to additional requirements from these destinations. The 32 new self-service bag drop machines and 16 self-service kiosks complement the Emirates check-in agents and reduce waiting time.

Customers can also utilise Emirates’ biometric path for a contactless journey from specific check-in desks in Terminal 3 to boarding gates, with less document checks and less queuing. Immigration formalities have also been streamlined with biometrics and facial recognition activated at both the smart gates and tunnel.

After checking in, passengers are advised to reach their boarding gate on time, which opens 90 minutes before departure; boarding starts 45 minutes before each flight and gates close 20 minutes before departure.

Emirates will not be able to accept passengers that report late for travel. Check-in and gate closure timings will be strictly followed to ensure flights depart on schedule.

Last month, Emirates confirmed that it will provide an expanded, multi-risk travel cover to its passengers, in addition to its current Covid-19 coverage, applicable to all tickets purchased from December 1.

Read: Dubai’s Emirates to offer free multi-risk travel insurance coverage

The airline has also implemented a set of measures to ensure the safety of its customers and employees on the ground and in the air, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes to all customers.

Emirates customers who require a Covid-19 PCR test certificate prior to departure from Dubai, can avail of special rates at clinics across the emirate by presenting their ticket or boarding pass.

Read more: Dubai’s Emirates offers Dhs150 Covid tests at American Hospital branches