Dubai Airports hosts travel simulation for children with autism to ease future journeys

Dubai: Ahead of the busy summer travel season, Dubai Airports hosted a guided travel simulation experience at Dubai International Airport (DXB) for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Organised in collaboration with Al Jalila Foundation’s Ta’alouf Programme, the initiative aimed to boost the children’s self-confidence and help prepare them and their families to travel with greater ease and peace of mind.

Preparing them ahead of summer holidays

The Ta’alouf Programme, launched 13 years ago by Al Jalila Foundation, is a key initiative supporting families and educators of people of determination.

Travel walkthrough gives them head start on stress-free flying

It equips them with essential skills to understand and meet the behavioural, psychological and educational needs of children facing challenges such as autism, Down syndrome and developmental delays. The programme promotes their integration into society by unlocking their potential and turning challenges into opportunities.

The simulation, supported by members of the oneDXB community – a network of stakeholders involved in the operations and passenger experience at DXB – along with caregivers, volunteers and airport front-line staff. It aligns with the UAE Year of the Community and reflects a collective commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive travel experience for families of people of determination.

Aligns with UAE’s commitment to promote inclusive travel

“This initiative shows the real impact we can make when we work together,” said Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Airports. “Accessibility is not only about physical infrastructure, but also how we respond to individual needs with empathy and care. A supportive airport environment can make all the difference for a child of determination and their caregivers.”

Dr Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, thanked Dubai Airports for the collaboration, saying the initiative supports the UAE’s national policy to empower people of determination and enhance public life accessibility.

Experience helps families overcome travel anxiety

During the session, trained Guest Experience Ambassadors guided families through the airport, allowing participants to experience key stages of the travel journey – from check-in and security screening to boarding gates – in a calm and supportive setting. This hands-on exposure helped familiarise the children with the airport environment, easing travel anxiety.

Many people of determination, especially those with autism spectrum disorder, face unique challenges when traveling through airports. These include unfamiliar procedures, sensory stimuli and crowded environments. The simulation experience helps children, and their families become familiar with each stage of the travel journey, from arriving at the airport and completing check-in, passport control and security screening, to reaching the boarding gates and arrival halls. This step-by-step exposure gives them the time they need to adapt at each phase of the process.

The initiative is part of Dubai Airports’ broader efforts to make air travel more accessible. Through its “We All Meet the World Differently” campaign, DXB continues to adopt inclusive practices and provide ongoing training for staff to support travellers with visible and invisible disabilities.

Dubai International Airport is also the world’s first to receive the Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), reinforcing its position as a global leader in inclusive travel.