Emirates, the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline, brought its vision of accessible travel to Istanbul through its “Travel Rehearsal” programme, hosting autistic children and their families at Istanbul Airport (IGA). The initiative, which is gradually being rolled out across 17 airports in Emirates’ global network, allows participants with disability to experience every stage of the travel journey in a supportive and structured environment.
As part of Emirates’ “Accessible Travel for All” approach, the Travel Rehearsal program aims to make air travel more predictable and comfortable for individuals on the autism spectrum. By familiarizing families with airport procedures and onboard environments ahead of time, the programme helps reduce anxiety and build confidence before an actual flight.
Mehmet Gurkaynak, Emirates County Manager Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria, said: “Last year, Emirates became the world’s first Autism Certified Airline, demonstrating the airline’s long-term commitment to accessible travel. Through the efforts of Emirates’ Autism Centre and our partners at IGA, we’re proud to having brought this initiative to Istanbul and play an active role in enhancing the travel experience for people with accessible travel requirements.
“We thank our partners for contributing to this initiative including IGA. This milestone reflects the importance of working with likeminded stakeholders to ensure an inclusive travel industry for all.”
A global journey of inclusive travel in Istanbul
During the Istanbul experience, participants walked through the full travel process — from airport transfers and check-in to passport control, lounge access, and an aircraft tour. The experience demonstrated how an Emirates journey unfolds smoothly and safely, from ground services to onboard, while fostering trust between trained Emirates teams and passengers with disabilities.
Emirates became the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline after more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff completed specialized autism awareness training. The program equips employees with in-depth knowledge of the autism spectrum, common misconceptions, challenges faced during travel, and personalized support strategies tailored to individual passenger needs.
So far, Emirates has performed its travel rehearsal programme in Dubai, Barcelona, Brussels, Budapest, Christchurch, Durban, Istanbul, Luanda, Madrid, Nice, Oslo, Paris and Venice, with more destinations committing to the programme every month.
Visit www.emirates.com for more information