How to avoid weekend rush at Dubai airports

Dubai Airports expects near-record traffic volumes during the holiday travel peak this weekend (Thursday to Sunday) and is encouraging passengers to follow its smart travel tips to make their journey more enjoyable.  
 
The airport operator will also be adding additional staff, including ‘May I Help You’ personnel, and is working closely with airlines, control authorities and concessionaires to ensure passengers experience minimal inconvenience during the holiday rush.
 
Travel Tips
 
•         Be sure to check which airport and terminal you are departing from/arriving into beforehand. Passengers can confirm with their airline or check www.dubaiairports.ae
•         Beat the queues by checking-in online (where possible) or using the self-service check-in kiosks in the departures hall. Customers with baggage can make use of the quick-baggage drop counters, while those carrying only hand luggage can proceed directly to immigration.
•         Don't forget to arrive three hours before your flight to allow time for check-in and passport control. Take into consideration daily rush hours and vehicular traffic around the airport and available routes in calculating your commuting time to the airport.
•         Check with your airline in advance for information on your baggage allowance. Irrespective of the allowance, a single unit of baggage weighing more than 32kgs will not be accepted at check-in. You should expect to be charged for baggage in excess of the limit set by the airline.
•         It is always simpler to pack liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) in your check-in baggage. However, if you have to carry LAGs in your hand luggage, make sure they are in a clear re-sealable plastic bag. Each item should not be more than 100ml and the total content of all items should not be more than one litre.
•         Remember to put anything metallic – watch, jewellery, mobile phone, coins, belt – into your hand luggage well before you arrive at the X-ray machine. This will save time at security screening.
•         Using the e-Gate card helps avoid queuing at passport control, both while arriving and on departure. An e-Gate card can be obtained from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs whose office/counters in the departure areas of all terminals at Dubai International are open 24/7.

“We are preparing to welcome record numbers over the upcoming weekend, so we are encouraging passengers to check-in online, if possible, and arrive at the airport 2.5 to 3 hours prior to flight departure,” said Helen Mellor-Mitchell, Vice President, Brand & Media Engagement.
 
“There is a lot on offer at Dubai International for customers to enjoy before they board their flights. We have over 150 places to eat catering to all budgets and tastes. We have a family zone, snooze cubes, spas, the best duty free shopping on the planet and much more. It’s a great way to kick off a holiday,” she adds.
 

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