Towards further enhancing the customer experience and ensuring on-time departures at Terminal 3 Dubai Airport, Emirates - considered the Middle East’s Leading Airline Economy Class by the prestigious World Travel Awards will be closing its check-in counters 60 minutes prior to a flight’s scheduled time of departure.

Check-in counters are open at least three hours before the flight departure and will now close 60 minutes prior to departure from 1st December 2011. However, passengers are requested to report to the check-in counters no later than 90 minutes prior to departure, in keeping with the airline’s commitment towards greater efficiency and an enhanced travel experience. Customers who check-in with less than 60 minutes to their scheduled flight will not be accepted to board the aircraft, ensuring that passengers who have already checked-in and boarded will not be inconvenienced by delays and possible missed connections.

“Emirates has taken these measures not only to ensure greater efficiency and on-time departures, but also in consideration of our customers who arrive on time for their flights. These steps will provide customers with a more seamless and comfortable travel experience and will give us the necessary minutes to ensure that the aircraft departs as scheduled,” said Mohammed H. Mattar – Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates Airport Services.

Passengers who have opted for the online check-in facility with check-in baggage, are also required to check-in their luggage no later than 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of their flight. Passengers holding an eboarding pass and travelling with carry-on bags only, can proceed directly for security clearance. All passengers are requested to be at the boarding gate no later than 35 minutes before departure and boarding gates will close 15 minutes before departure time. 

Transit passengers from flights arriving late into Dubai will be escorted by airport staff through formalities to ensure they make their onward connections.

Passengers will also be given verbal reminders about the gate closure policy when they check in.  Written reminders have also been placed on boarding cards, quick transfer wallets, onboard airshow slides and other touch points.

Arab Air Carriers Organisation

The 44th annual general meeting of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation in Abu Dhabi later this month will bring together the chief executives of 25 member airlines - of which Emirates is one - in addition to a large number of aviation stake-holders for the key aviation event in the Middle East.

To see more on the event click here.