DUBAI: The responsibility of easing the holiday rush at Dubai International (DXB) Airports will largely depend on passengers, a top official of Dubai Airports said on Tuesday.
Hangout@DXB
Speaking to XPRESS ahead of the airport’s two busiest weekends, Anita Mehra, senior vice-president of communications and reputation, Dubai Airports, said, “We have taken all possible steps to meet the annual summer travel rush and welcome nearly two million passengers over the two weekends of June 30 and July 7. We are even incentivising people to come to the airport early by introducing several activities as part of our HangOut@DXB campaign which will feature attractive prizes, discounts, food and beverage promotions, musical performances, sports screenings, etc. So we urge passengers to plan ahead, make the most of these offerings and start their holidays right here.”
With schools across the UAE closing for the summer break, she said over 900,000 passengers are expected to pass through DXB from June 30 to July 3, with a similar number using the three terminals from July 7-10 around Eid Al Fitr.
She said the two weekends will see an additional 20 per cent of passengers. The maximum rush can be expected at Terminal 3, where Emirates operates accounting for 60 per cent of the DXB’s traffic.
The Hangout@DXB campaign will offer discounts for passengers as well as a number of activities including a quiz contest about DXB, daily updates on flights, weather and traffic report on local radio channels, and a series of interactive contests through Dubai Airports’ own social media channels.
The main bottlenecks and how they can be avoided:
All roads will lead to DXB, so anticipate bumper-to-bumper traffic as you near the terminals. Road works on this route will add to the pile-up. So set out early, and better still, take the Metro - it’ll help reduce the number of cars on the roads.
It’s time for goodbyes, but they are better said at home. Don’t wait to arrive at the airport to embrace your loved ones – you will be holding up traffic.
Can’t jump the queues, so arrive well in time. The thumb rule is get to the airport three hours ahead of your flight.
Check in you must, but save time by doing it online or using the self-service check-in kiosks. Drop off your luggage at the designated counter.
To avoid baggage blues, read the rules and comply with them beforehand. Else, you will waste time shedding the excess weight or paying for it in the last minute. Aso check in liquids, aerosols and gels. If they are in your hand luggage, put them in a plastic bag. Each item can’t be more than 100ml, and total content can’t exceed one litre.
Expect long lines at immigration, but you can beat them by using the smart, e-Gate card. The card can be obtained from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs for a fee, even at the terminals.
There’s no compromising on safety, but sail past security by putting anything metal – watch, jewellery, phone, coins, belt – into your hand luggage before you arrive at the X-ray machine.
You will be spoilt for choice at Dubai Duty Free. Keep track of the time and the number of your departure gate while you have a good time. Reach the gate in time for boarding.
