Emirates is on track to becoming the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™. The Airline has been proactive in providing staff with specialised training, conducting audits on sensory inputs and receiving the Certified Autism Center™ designation. The airline is working hard to make air travel autism-friendly. All these measures and more demonstrate Emirates’ comprehensive commitment to making air travel more inclusive and accessible for neurodivergent passengers.
Comprehensive Certification Process
The Autism Certified Airline™ designation will be formally awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The designation follows a thorough and extensive certification process. Over the coming months, over 300,000 Emirates cabin crew and ground staff will complete specialised autism and sensory awareness training. In preparation, the IBCCES has also conducted a comprehensive audit and onsite review of Emirates’ services. The certification process involved surveying more than 14,000 people with various disabilities. This number included people with hidden disabilities like autism and individuals with sensory sensitivities. In extra efforts to facilitate the development of new industry standards, other forms of data were also included. Data from industry professionals, International Air Transport Association (IATA) surveys, and flights audits were incorporated in addition to the feedback collected.
Improved Services and Innovations
Emirates is introducing several new services and standards to make the travel experience less stressful and more accessible for autistic passengers. The airline will introduce sensory guides and neurodiverse sensory products to facilitate a seamless journey and encourage focus. The sensory guides have been developed in collaboration with IBCCES to help travellers make informed decisions about the various environments encountered during their journey. Sensory products, on the other hand, will include fidget toys or aids. These will be provided on Emirates flights to improve focus and help acclimatise neurodivergent passengers to the cabin environment.
All these initiatives are being developed in addition to Emirates’ already extensive portfolio of accessible travel standards. The new staff training progammes will build on the airline’s 2023 initiative ‘Introduction to Autism and Hidden Disabilities’ training. Moreover, all five check-in facilities at Dubai International Airport (DXB), have received the Certified Autism Center™ Designation.
What do you think of Emirates’ service improvements so far? What needs to change to make air travel more autism-friendly? let us know in the comments
