Today, Dubai Airports officially launched the first travel lounge dedicated to people of determination, in Terminal 2 of Dubai International Airport, setting new standards for inclusive travel.
According to a press release issued by Dubai Airports, the lounge was designed to meet the diverse needs of people of determination, including those with autism and invisible challenges.
The opening of the travel lounge came in cooperation between Dubai Airports and dnata, the operator of the lounge, which is part of a multi-million dirham program that includes plans to open similar lounges in other passenger terminals.
Majid Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports, said that this lounge reflects the firm commitment to making Dubai International Airport a place that welcomes all travelers, explaining that this facility was carefully designed to meet the needs of people of determination, and is in line with Dubai’s vision of becoming an inclusive and friendly city for people of determination. .
He added that the design ensures a quiet and accessible environment, and this new facility represents a step in the tireless pursuit of ensuring a smooth travel experience for all guests, regardless of their individual needs.
According to Dubai Airports, the design of the lounge, which was implemented by the design team at Dubai Airports, reflects a comprehensive vision that is in line with the values of Dubai International Airport and the city of Dubai alike.
The interior design of the lounge embodies the modern spirit of Dubai, and is in line with the “Dubai Environment Code.” The lounge is equipped with a set of features that include large spaces designated for wheelchairs to ensure freedom of movement, surfaces of varying colors to facilitate movement for people with visual disabilities, and seating in a location close to employees. For the hearing impaired to facilitate direct communication, the lounge also includes a quiet area to relieve stress for individuals with autism, providing them with a haven of peace and relaxation, in addition to a lounge designated for unaccompanied minor children.
Jaafar Dawood, Senior Vice President of Airport Operations in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East and North Africa region at dnata, stressed the commitment to providing a comprehensive and comfortable travel experience for all travelers, including people of determination.
He said that the new lounge represents an important step in this direction, and the highly trained staff is doing its utmost to ensure that all guests are provided with an exceptional travel experience.
This lounge is an integral part of Dubai Airports’ comprehensive strategy for people of determination, which includes a group of initiatives, the most prominent of which is the “Sunflower Bar Program”, which allows identifying and assisting guests of people of determination confidentially, and gives them access to priority lanes and a lane designated for people with autism, with Giving them priority at check-in, passport checks, security checkpoints and boarding.
Dubai Airports explained that its strategy includes a training program for airport employees on how to deal with invisible challenges, in addition to providing dedicated facilities and services, such as free parking for two hours, designated taxis, and wheelchair services.
It is noteworthy that in 2022, Dubai International Airport obtained accreditation from the Airports Council International (ACI), within the framework of the Accessibility Enhancing Accreditation Program, an initiative aimed at recognizing the commitment of global airports to facilitating travel operations for all travelers.
The airport also received the “Autism Friendly” certification from the Dubai Autism Center, and became the first international airport to receive the “Certified Autism Center” (CAC) designation, awarded by the International Board for Accreditation of Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
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