Dubai International launches initiatives to ease passengers through the airport during summer rush

During June, July and August, the airport will experience its busiest period since the opening of Sheikh Rashid Terminal in 2000, with 20 per cent more passengers than last summer, more than 11 million people. In 2007, the airport handled more than nine million people in the same period.

The measures include trained extra staff, managed queuing systems, more use of technology and more signage, all designed to ensure travellers start their holidays in a relaxed and comfortable manner.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said: "This year's summer rush will be the busiest period in the airport's history. We have put in place a range of measures designed to maintain the smooth running of the airport during the peak period. These include having extra staff available to help our customers quickly and efficiently through the check-in and arrival processes.

"Everyone at Dubai Airports is committed to providing the best possible experience for our customers despite the challenges presented by the high volume of people travelling in the coming weeks."

To complement its new initiatives, Dubai Airports unveiled "Travel Tips for Smart Travellers" to help passengers help themselves and their fellow travellers to proceed speedily through the airport.

Mr Griffiths added: "We are proud of Dubai being one of the world's fastest growing airports and we are investing significantly in additional facilities to accommodate the growth in passenger volumes.

The new Terminal 3 facilities will alleviate the annual challenge of the summer rush in future years. For the time being, we would ask everyone to follow a series of smart tips which save time and ease travel."

The 2008 Summer Rush is expected to be the last peak travel period for the existing facilities of Dubai International. The process of testing and commissioning all the processes and procedures for the airport's new Terminal 3 is in progress and, in the coming months, Emirates Airline flights will begin to transition gradually from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3.

Smart Tips for Smart Travellers

Save time and avoid congestion at the airport by saying goodbye to loved ones at home.

Avoid queuing by using online check-in facilities or using the self-service check-in kiosks in the departures hall. Passengers carrying only hand luggage can then proceed directly to Immigration. Passengers with baggage to be checked in can make use of the quick-baggage drop counters.

Avoid queuing at passport control, when you leave and when you return, by buying an e-Gate card. The passport control of Dubai International is one of the few in the world to be equipped with fingerprint recognition.

Avoid delays by ensuring that each piece of baggage is within the 32kgs allowance. You should expect to be charged for baggage in excess of the regulatory limit.

Make sure you are carrying any liquids, aerosols and gels ("LAGs") in a clear resealable plastic bag. Each item should not be more than 100ml and the total number of items should not be more than one litre. Unless absolutely necessary during the journey, it is simpler to pack LAGs in your checked-in baggage.

Save time at Security Screening by putting anything metal - watch, jewellery, mobile phone, coins - into your hand luggage well before you arrive at the X-ray machines.

Don't forget to leave a minimum of three hours for check-in and passport control.