Emirates is telling passengers to get to their gate a full hour before departure during the Christmas travel period as the carrier warns that as many as 89,000 passengers per day could pass through its hub at Dubai International Airport – an increase of 20% on last year.
The Christmas rush is expected to get properly underway on Thursday as expats mingle with homeward-bound tourists and locals departing Dubai between December 12 and December 15.
A second rush is then expected just before Christmas, between December 20 and 22, before a lull of a few days over the festive period. A third rush between December 27 and 29 could see as many as 88,000 passengers departing DXB daily.
Emirates is telling passengers to get to the airport at least three hours before departure in order to give them enough time to check-in, clear security and then get to their gate at least one hour before their flight is scheduled to depart.
The airline is also encouraging customers to avoid daytime check-in queues at Dubai International by either using a twilight check-in service or even using a downtown check-in facility in Dubai International Financial Centre.
Alternatively, passengers can even pay a little extra to have their luggage collected from their home or hotel, where all check-in formalities are also completed before passengers even arrive at the airport. The service is free for First Class passengers and Emirates’ most elite frequent flyers.
Emirates has yet to reveal what festive celebrations it has in store for passengers, but last year, the airline offered traditional Christmas meals on flights where the Holidays are celebrated.
In recent years, the airline has also allowed its international cabin crew to mark the festive period, allowing them to wear fun Santa hats and antlers onboard flights on Christmas Day.
