UAE airports, airlines brace for surge in passenger traffic this Eid Al Fitr
KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)Airports across the UAE are bracing for a significant increase in passenger traffic during the upcoming Eid Al Fitr holiday towards the end of March until early April. Procedures have been put in place to efficiently manage the influx.In Abu Dhabi, the Zayed International Airport and the national airline Etihad Airways are taking all the necessary steps to prepare for the busy period ahead.Etihad has proactively issued travel advisories urging passengers to carefully plan their journeys."We're preparing to welcome thousands of additional guests during these peak periods. Our teams are fully prepared to ensure every journey begins smoothly, and we recommend travellers take advantage of our numerous check-in options and digital tools to enjoy a relaxed start to their holidays," Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, Etihad Airways Interim Chief Operations and Guest Officer, said in a statement.The airline recommended arriving at least four hours before departure, particularly for flights bound for the US, to ensure smooth handling of security and customs procedures. Additionally, Etihad encouraged travellers to utilise online check-in services available 48 hours in advance, with self-service bag drops provided to expedite processes.Etihad is also offering innovative services such as home check-in through Morafiq, which allows passengers to complete check-in and baggage drop-off procedures at their homes up to five hours before flight departure. Off-airport check-in services are also located at points around the capital at Yas Mall, Mussafah, Al Ain, and the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal.
Across the Country Meanwhile, Dubai International Airport (DXB) is preparing to welcome more than 3.6 million passengers from March 26 to April 7, with the numbers hitting a peak of about 309,000 on April 5. "With schools breaking for spring, demand remains strong for key VFR (visiting friends and relatives) markets such as India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, alongside a notable rise in leisure travel, including an increase in traffic to Sri Lanka, Türkiye and Italy," a statement from Dubai Airports said.Anticipating the demand, Dubai's flagship carrier Emirates has scheduled an additional 17 flights to regional destinations, including Amman, Bangkok, Cairo, Karachi, and Mumbai during the Eid period. DXB advised passengers to arrive at least three hours prior to departure and to utilise its recently launched DXB Express Maps, a smart navigation tool providing real-time terminal guidance.Sharjah Airport is also gearing up for a substantial increase in footfall, expecting to handle more than half a million passengers and approximately 3,344 flights from March 27 to April 6. The Sharjah Airport Authority says they have coordinated comprehensive operational and logistical plans to maintain passenger comfort.
Across the UAE, airports are emphasising the importance of digital check-in procedures, early arrival, and proactive planning to mitigate delays and enhance the overall passenger experience. Services such as premium lounge access, economy extra legroom, and neighbour-free seating options are being promoted to offer added comfort and convenience during what is anticipated to be an exceptionally busy travel period.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
6 hours ago
- The National
Expect travel delays to Europe as air traffic controllers strike in France
Hundreds of flights were cancelled on Thursday, with more expected to be scrapped on Friday, as French air-traffic controllers go on strike. Air France, easyJet and Ryanair are some of the airlines caught up in the disruption, affecting operations from key European hubs, notably Charles de Gaulle in Paris. Low-cost Irish carrier Ryanair was forced to cancel more than 400 flights over the two-day strike on Thursday and Friday, affecting about 70,000 passengers. Lobby group Airlines for Europe said as many as 300,000 travellers have or will face disruptions as a result of the strikes, with more than 1,500 flights already affected. Air France said it has put plans in place to maintain its long-haul flight schedule. Flights from UAE carriers are currently on schedule. Etihad Airways, which has a direct route between Abu Dhabi and Paris, is operating as normal today, as is the Emirates flight from Dubai to the French capital. Some regional airlines have been affected, however. Egyptiair cancelled flights MS801 and MS802 operating between Cairo and Paris on Friday. 'Due to an air-traffic controllers' strike at Charles de Gaulle airport, which began on Thursday and is expected to continue for two days, the French Civil Aviation Authority has requested all airlines to cancel flights to and from the airport," the airline said. Airline bosses have criticised the strike. 'Once again European families are held to ransom by French air-traffic controllers going on strike," Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said. The airline controllers' union, UNSA-ICNA, blamed France's civil aviation agency, DGAC, for its failures to modernise. "The systems are on their last legs," the union said. The European strikes come just weeks after the closing of airspace across the Middle East in light of the Israel-Iran-US conflict. This led to major disruption as airlines had to cancel, reroute and even divert flights mid-air.
Gulf Business
6 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Etihad launches flight to Atlanta, US; other route announcements
Image: Etihad Airways Etihad Airways has touched down in Atlanta for the first time, expanding its US footprint and connecting the cultural and commercial heart of the US Southeast with Abu Dhabi and beyond. The launch marks another milestone in Etihad's North American expansion. Etihad's first flight from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport touched down on July 2, making Atlanta the fifth US gateway in Etihad's global network, joining New York City, Chicago, Washington DC, and Boston. Benefit for US-bound passengers at Zayed international Airport Visitors travelling from Abu Dhabi benefit from the convenience of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility at Zayed International Airport – the only one of its kind in the region. This allows passengers to clear US immigration and customs before departure, arriving in the US as domestic travellers and saving valuable time on arrival. Etihad's latest route reflects growing demand The newly launched route meets the growing Antonoaldo Neves, CEO at 'With US preclearance at Zayed International Airport, guests can enjoy the convenience of arriving in Atlanta as domestic travellers. We're delighted to bring our award-winning experience to guests travelling to and from Atlanta. New routes in Europe announced The carrier also announced three additional new destinations to further expand its global network. The airline will add seasonal flights to Kazan, Russia from December this year; as well as Krakow, Poland; and Salalah, Oman in the summer of 2026. These new routes offer guests more opportunities to discover unique cities across Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Tourism Breaking News
8 hours ago
- Tourism Breaking News
Etihad Airways celebrates first flight to Atlanta, its fifth US destination
Post Views: 37 Etihad Airways touched down in Atlanta for the first time, expanding its U.S. footprint and connecting the cultural and commercial heart of the U.S. Southeast with Abu Dhabi and beyond. The launch marks another milestone in Etihad's North American expansion. Etihad's first flight from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport made Atlanta the fifth U.S. gateway in Etihad's global network, joining New York City, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Boston. Guests travelling from Abu Dhabi benefit from the convenience of the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility at Zayed International Airport – the only one of its kind in the region. This allows passengers to clear U.S. immigration and customs before departure, arriving in the United States as domestic travellers and saving valuable time on arrival. The newly launched route meets the growing appetite for travel between the UAE and the US, catering to business travellers, vacationers, and those visiting friends and family. It also makes it easier for guests from across the southeastern U.S. to visit Abu Dhabi and experience a city where modernity meets rich heritage, offering a vibrant mix of culture, adventure, relaxation and stunning beaches. The new service is operated using Etihad's next-generation Airbus A350-1000, a fuel-efficient, environmentally advanced aircraft offering a quieter ride, and the airline's latest onboard product on key long-haul routes. The Atlanta route launched with four flights per week, but record-high load factors and remarkable early bookings have prompted Etihad to fast-track expansion, with daily flights set to commence from November 2025. Demand from both leisure and corporate segments has exceeded expectations, firmly validating Atlanta's position as a key market for Etihad. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways, said: 'Atlanta is a dynamic city with deep cultural, economic and aviation significance. This new service enhances access to the southeastern United States while offering seamless connections across the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Asia. 'With U.S. Preclearance at Zayed International Airport, guests can enjoy the convenience of arriving in Atlanta as domestic travellers. We're delighted to bring our award-winning experience to guests travelling to and from Atlanta. 'It also means we're excited to welcome even more guests to our amazing home in Abu Dhabi. U.S. travellers are already curious about what the city has to offer: from beautiful beaches and fantastic theme parks to world-class cultural experiences and mouthwatering cuisine. The response to this route has been phenomenal – the strength of early bookings has been so impressive that we've already announced daily flights starting later this year. It's a clear sign that travellers are eager to discover everything Abu Dhabi has to offer.' The elevated Business Class is home to 44 Business Suites, each with a sliding door providing each guest with enhanced privacy within their suite. In addition to the direct aisle access, every Business Class seat is designed for maximum comfort and converts into a fully flat bed of 79 inches in length, with ample storage for convenience. Noise-cancelling headphones and an 18.5-inch TV screen provide a cinematic experience to enjoy Etihad's extensive inflight entertainment offering. The Business seats also feature a built-in wireless charging dock and Bluetooth headphone pairing. The A350 is also home to 327 Economy Smart Seats with an innovative recline, 13-inch touch screen with Bluetooth headset pairing. All guests can also take advantage of complimentary Chat packages on Wi-Fi or opt for full surfing throughout the flight.
