Emirates expects the coming weekend to be one of its busiest this year as the holiday travel season starts in earnest.
The Dubai carrier expects to carry more than 535,000 people from Thursday through Saturday, an increase of about 14 per cent from the same period a year ago.
On Friday alone, about 34,000 people are anticipated to check in to Terminal 3 at Dubai International, which is dedicated exclusively to Emirates flights. While Friday is expected to be the busiest day, passenger traffic was beginning to pick up from yesterday and was to remain at “peak levels” for the remainder of this year, according to Emirates.
Because of the huge number of passengers, Emirates has urged travellers to arrive at the airport no fewer than three hours ahead of their departure time. It has also asked passengers to factor in time for heavy traffic on the way to the airport.
The airline added that check-in counters are open six hours before departure, however passengers can check-in from 24 hours to six hours before their flight departs at the car park check-in area.
Emirates warned that passengers who checked in fewer than 60 minutes before their scheduled flight departure would not be accepted.
“These time checks will ensure the minimisation of delays and missed connections,” it said.
Additionally, Emirates recommends passengers check in online and use the baggage drop facilities upon arrival. However, those checking in online are required to check in their luggage no later than 90 minutes before departure.
The holiday rush comes as Dubai International toppled London’s Heathrow as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers last year.
The airport, which is situated within an eight-hour radius from two-thirds of the world’s population, has grown to become a global aviation hub, helped by the rapid growth of Emirates and its location.
In October, passengers at the airport reached 6.25 million, compared with 5.98 million in the same period last year.
This year’s top destinations out of Dubai include Beirut, London, Bangkok, Istanbul, Karachi and Cairo, Emirates said. Meanwhile, Emirates expects passengers to come from London, Karachi, Mumbai, Milan and Delhi to Dubai.
selgazzar@thenational.ae
