Emirates and El Dorado airport hold first autism travel rehearsal in Colombia

Emirates and Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport held a travel rehearsal for people on the autism spectrum. The airline described it as the first event of its kind in Colombia.

Emirates said the session was part of its accessible travel work and of El Dorado Más Accesible, an airport programme that aims to make air travel more predictable, comfortable and inclusive for people on the autism spectrum. Participants went through a full simulation of a journey. They became familiar in advance with ground procedures and the cabin environment.

Local community members on the autism spectrum went through each stage of the airport itinerary. They checked in and handed over baggage, passed through security screening, boarded an Emirates aircraft and were welcomed by cabin crew, and ran through arrival procedures including baggage reclaim and customs formalities.

Gianmarco Mazetti, Emirates director for Colombia, said the airline's autism certification underpinned the effort to make travel accessible to everyone. The rehearsal, he said, gave participants the chance to experience the process first hand.

The airline said Emirates has held autism certification since becoming the first carrier to do so.