Emirates to become the first airline certified for serving passengers with autism

Emirati national carrier Emirates has announced its intention to become the world's first airline certified to serve passengers with autism. To achieve this, the airline plans to provide special training to more than 30,000 crew and ground staff members in the coming months. In addition, the airline will introduce new standards and services aimed at improving travel conditions for people with autism spectrum disorders, their families, and companions, according to an official company statement.

78% of people with autism avoid travel

International flights are often a serious challenge for people with autism due to the abundance of sensory stimuli. According to a survey on AutismTravel.com, 78% of families with autistic members are reluctant to travel or avoid new places. At the same time, 94% of respondents said they would travel more often if they could visit places where staff are trained and certified to work with people with autism.

To address these challenges, Emirates is partnering with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This organisation, which specialises in training and certification in neurodiversity, conducted an audit and comprehensive review of the airline's routes, including both short-haul and long-haul flights.

Introducing sensory guides

As part of the programme, extensive work was carried out, including surveying more than 14,000 people with various forms of disability, including autism and sensory sensitivity, as well as their families and caregivers. In addition, interviews and research were conducted with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and feedback was gathered from 1,200 industry professionals.

The result of this work is a new set of standards aimed at improving passenger service and raising staff qualifications across the airline. Emirates plans to train at least 80% of its staff and develop an effective strategy for assisting people with special needs. Sensory guides were also introduced — digital tools that help passengers better navigate the various environments involved in air travel.

Dubai Airport certification

This initiative builds on a direction set by Dubai Airport, which in December 2023 became the first international airport to receive certification as a hub for serving people with autism. This is a significant achievement that allows neurodiverse passengers to travel with greater comfort.

In addition, IBCCES launched the AutismTravel.com portal — a free online resource for families, including a list of certified destinations and useful materials for trip planning and communication between families.