Dubai Airports to roll out two-year plan to enhance experience of People of Determination

The new programme will be rolled out in two phases over two years and unite service partners across the DXB community to elevate the travel experience for passengers with hidden disabilities such as autism, chronic fatigue, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

Staff will be specially trained to support People of Determination travellers, who will be easily identifiable wearing sunflower pins, allowing for increased visibility, communication and support throughout the airport journey.

An educational campaign will be undertaken to drive awareness around autism, specifically relating to socially acceptable language and empathy. This will be boosted by the distribution of key training materials across all airport entities, ensuring that People of Determination travellers are met with consistent support and a positive customer experience.

Dubai Airports will also introduce a pre-travel preparation and an ‘Autism Friendly Route’, which will give People of Determination priority through check-in, passport control, security checkpoints and boarding. All this can be availed when wearing the sunflower lanyard.

The second phase of the roll-out will see more innovative solutions, including connected airports, quiet rooms, and an airport safari tour.

Majed Al Joker, COO of Dubai Airports, said: “Dubai Airports is committed to promoting the inclusion and participation of People of Determination, who, as an integral part of our travelling customer base, deserve the highest level of care and customer service.

“We are working to provide the essential services and amenities and are proud to be collaborating with the Dubai Autism Centre and the sector to drive awareness around hidden disabilities. This initiative is only the beginning of what we hope will be a transformative travel experience for all POD that travel through our airports.”