With the start of the UAE school summer holidays and Eid Al Adha just around the corner, Emirates is predicting a very busy period at Dubai International Airport.
The airline said it expects more than 550,000 passengers to fly out of Dubai in June and July, on more than 2,400 scheduled weekly departures.
It has already urged travellers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before flights. Now, the airline has shared top tips for how travellers can help make their journey more seamless this summer.
Here's what you need to know.
1. Use the Emirates app
The Emirates app is an easy way for travellers to check their flight status, change flights, download boarding passes and more. It also allows passengers to request a change of seat, or pre-book a special meal but keep in mind there are cut-off times so be sure to do it promptly.
You can also use the app to see what in-flight entertainment will be on your flight, perfect for pre-planning movie marathons.
2. Stay up to date with Covid-19 requirements
Face masks are still required on all Emirates flights and at Dubai International Airport so make sure you comply. Depending on your destination, there may be additional Covid-19 related rules in place so be sure to check these before you travel.
Some countries, such as Italy, only accept N-95 face masks so you'll want to stock up before you go while other destinations will need to see proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result before passengers can board flights. Ensure you have all the required documents you need before travelling to the airport. You can see the latest information for your destination on Emirates Covid-19 hub.
3. Sign up for WhatsApp alerts
The ever-changing nature of the Covid-19 pandemic means things can and do change frequently and rapidly. Sign up for Emirates’ WhatsApp Covid-19 travel support services to get the latest information on developments in the destination you’re flying to. This is updated daily by the airline’s customers service teams.
4. Coming from out of town? Check-in remotely
If you’re travelling from the Northern Emirates to Dubai for your flight, stop in Ajman where you can easily check-in for your flight away from the madness of the airport. Emirates' 24-hour City Check-in at Ajman Central Bus Terminal is available up to four hours before flight departure times. Once you’re checked in, you’ll be able to drop your baggage, collect your boarding pass and hop on the Dh20 bus to Terminal 3 where you can skip all of the airport queues and head directly to immigration.
5. Check-in online
All travellers can check-in online 48 hours before flight times using either the Emirates app or website. This should help to cut down on time at the airport where, depending on your destination, you can use the self-service machines to drop bags and download digital boarding passes and you're all set to go.
6. Drop your bags early
Do you like to plan ahead and arrive way before schedule? If so, take advantage of Emirates' early check-in facility at Terminal 3. You can check-in and drop off bags up to 24 hours before you fly, or 12 hours before flights if you're headed to the US or Tel Aviv. That leaves you hands-free on the day of your flight to breeze past check-in queues and head directly to immigration and security.
7. Drop bags from home
From Dh177 for up to two bags, you can have someone come to you and pick up your luggage. The home service by DUBZ is available in Dubai and Sharjah and sees customer service agents come to your location to collect your bags.
If you book the service more than 24 hours before your flight, you can also then check-in at the airport up to six hours before flight departure times, giving you plenty of time to complete security checks and then do a little shopping or lounging. You can also add fast-track services to your booking allowing you to speed through immigration, with rates from Dh105.
8. Use the self check-in kiosks at the airport
If you’ve not checked in online, head to the Emirates self check-in kiosks in Terminal 3. The touchscreens, which can also be operated hands free using your mobile phone, let you view your itinerary, choose your seat and print your boarding pass for your upcoming flight. You can also drop bags here.
9. Take the Smart Tunnel
The Smart Tunnel at DXB is the world’s first airport biometric channel and lets passengers clear immigration using only their face. Travellers need to register for the service, but this can easily be done with a quick photo at the check-in desk. Once you’re in the system, you can check-in, clear immigration, access lounges (if applicable with your ticket) and board flights at selected gates purely via facial recognition.
10. Use the e-gates
If you’re a UAE citizen or resident, you can use your passport, boarding pass or valid UAE ID to use the Smart Gates at Terminal 3 to speed up immigration. These electronic gates can also be used by GCC nationals and anyone with a visa on arrival who has a biometric passport — check for the e-Passport symbol on the front cover of your passport to see if that’s you.
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
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Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
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Saudi Cup race day
Schedule in UAE time
5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)
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Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, kick-off 10.45pm
Live: On BeIN Sports HD
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Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:
Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.
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- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
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Manchester United 4
Young 13', Mata 28', Lukaku 42', Rashford 82'
Fulham 1
Kamara 67' (pen),
Red card: Anguissa (68')
Man of the match: Juan Mata (Man Utd)
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Tour de France Stage 16:
165km run from Le Puy-en-Velay to Romans-sur-Isère
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
