Passengers departing from Terminal 3 urged to arrive early as holiday travel increases.
Dubai: Emirates has issued a travel advisory for passengers departing from Dubai International Airport this weekend, warning that Terminal 3 is expected to be particularly busy as the summer holiday rush gets underway.
The airline said high passenger volumes are expected from July 3 to 5, with weekend travel likely to remain heavy throughout the summer holiday period. Travellers have been advised to plan ahead, allow extra time for airport access and make use of early check-in options to avoid last-minute delays.
Passengers flying with Emirates have been advised to arrive at the airport three hours before departure, clear immigration at least one and a half hours before their flight, and reach the boarding gate one hour prior to departure.
Extra time needed at DXB
Emirates said passengers should account for potential delays on roads leading to the airport, as well as additional time required for parking, security screening, immigration procedures and transfers between concourses.
Dubai International Airport is typically busiest during school holidays and the summer travel period, when residents depart for annual vacations and visiting families return home. The airline said passengers can help reduce waiting times by using online check-in, the Emirates app, self-service kiosks and baggage drop facilities before arriving at the airport.
Online and app check-in open 48 hours before departure. Through the Emirates app, customers can manage flights, download digital boarding passes for most destinations, receive flight notifications, check onboard meal options and pre-select in-flight entertainment.
Early bag drop option
Passengers departing from Dubai can check in and drop their bags up to 24 hours before departure, or up to 12 hours before US-bound flights. Emirates said this allows customers to proceed directly to immigration on the day of travel.
The airline has also advised passengers to consider using the Dubai Metro to reach Terminal 3 in order to avoid road traffic congestion. The Metro operates from 5am to midnight from Monday to Thursday and on Saturday, from 5am to 1am on Friday, and from 8am to midnight on Sunday.
Travellers can also use the Emirates City Check-in and Travel Store at ICD Brookfield Place in DIFC, where baggage can be dropped between 24 hours and four hours before departure. The facility operates daily from 8am to midnight until August 10.
Customers in the northern emirates can also use Emirates City Check-in in Ajman at Ajman Central Bus Terminal, which operates 24/7 and accepts baggage from 24 hours up to four hours before flight departure.
Home check-in available
Emirates passengers in Dubai and Sharjah can also book home check-in, where agents complete the check-in process at a home, hotel or office and transport the luggage directly to the airport. The service must be booked at least 24 hours in advance and is offered free of charge for First Class passengers and Platinum Skywards members.
At Terminal 3, passengers can use Emirates self-check-in and baggage drop kiosks, along with check-in counters located near the terminal entrance. Emirates Skywards members can also register for Emirates Biometrics via the app before travel, enabling the use of facial recognition at selected airport touchpoints.
Passengers travelling between Concourse A and Concourse B can use the internal train within Terminal 3. Emirates also operates a shuttle bus between Concourse A and Concourse C throughout the day, with departures every 20 minutes and an average journey time of around 20 minutes.
Pack smart before travel
Emirates has also reminded travellers to review baggage rules before arriving at the airport, particularly for items that may require additional screening and could cause delays.
Power banks are permitted in hand baggage but are not allowed in checked luggage. Smart bags are allowed in the cabin only if the battery is removable and the bag complies with cabin baggage size and weight limits. E-cigarettes, e-pipes, electric portable incense burners and other personal vapourisers containing batteries must be protected against accidental activation and are permitted only in hand luggage.
People of Determination can access trained staff support, two hours of complimentary airport parking, and dedicated priority lanes for check-in, passport control, security and boarding where required.
