Dubai Airports, already renowned as one of the world’s leading aviation hubs, has taken another significant step forward by achieving the designation of a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This initiative forms a critical part of Dubai’s broader vision as a Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD), ensuring that every traveler, regardless of ability, experiences a welcoming, accessible journey.

Fatma Taher, Manager – Government Agenda at Dubai Airports, has played an instrumental role in Dubai Airports’ autism certification initiative. She recently shared insights with the IBCCES team about the motivations, challenges, and transformative impact of this work on both guests and the organization’s culture.

Building a More Inclusive Airport

The journey began in 2022, when Dubai Airports trialed a small-scale autism support program. The feedback from guests was overwhelmingly positive. Encouraged by the results and inspired by Dubai’s commitment to becoming an autism-friendly city, the airport team set their sights higher. By 2025, the program had grown into a robust, full-scale offering that now spans every touchpoint of the travel journey, from pre-travel planning to boarding the plane.

But this effort wasn’t just a box to check. For many Dubai Airports employees, the initiative hit close to home. Taher explained that a surprising number of team members had personal connections to autism, inspiring a deep commitment to making the airport more accessible. Over 45,000 people across the travel sector, including Dubai Airports staff and partners like Emirates Airlines, have completed autism training.

Lessons from the Journey

The training and certification process opened employees’ eyes to the vastness of the autism spectrum. Many learned that supporting autistic guests isn’t about grand gestures, it’s about knowledge, patience, communication, and small adjustments that make a big difference.

One of the major successes of the program has been its flexibility. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution; instead, guests can tailor the support they need at each stage of their journey. Whether it’s choosing to board early or late, receiving sensory-friendly guidance through check-in and security, or experiencing in-flight accommodations thanks to partnerships with Emirates, Dubai Airports is setting a new global standard.

A Spirit of Unity

Launching a project of this magnitude came with challenges, primarily the overwhelming scope at the beginning. But Taher credits the success to an incredible spirit of collaboration across the travel sector. By working closely with stakeholders, government agencies, autism centers, and individuals on the spectrum themselves, Dubai Airports crafted an offering shaped entirely by community feedback.

This community-first approach even extends to “Travel Safari” days, rehearsal events where autistic individuals and their families can experience the airport journey without the pressure of actual travel. Through these events, families gain confidence, and many children, once hesitant, blossom into eager travelers. Taher recalled one young boy who, after attending multiple Travel Safari visits, now confidently leads his mother through the airport, turning what was once an overwhelming experience into a joyful adventure.

Impact Beyond the Airport

The certification has instilled a deep sense of pride across Dubai Airports’ workforce. Employees now view inclusivity not as an extra task, but as a core part of delivering world-class service. Guest feedback has been equally heartwarming. One parent left a simple but powerful note: “Nobody does autism offering like Dubai Airports.”

Stories like these highlight the broader impact: by ensuring every guest feels seen, understood, and supported, Dubai Airports isn’t just creating a better traveling experience; they’re helping families create positive memories around the travel experience. Taher stated, “This is what we’re looking for at the end of the day. Guests having a comfortable, easy, seamless experience where they feel their needs are met, where they feel their rights are met, where, at the end of the day, they look forward to traveling instead of feeling that it’s just a challenge. We want them to enjoy the journey.”

Looking Ahead

Taher believes that Dubai Airport’s journey is only just beginning. The goal is to continue elevating the experience for autistic guests and expand accessibility to travelers with a wide range of needs. New technologies, innovations, and community partnerships will help shape a future where inclusive travel becomes the norm, not the exception.

For other organizations considering similar initiatives, Taher offers simple advice: get accredited, work with your community, and collaborate across sectors. She notes that with IBCCES’ certification and training, “You have everything with clear parameters, you have experts supporting you, you get to have a mapping of the current experience, the gaps that are crucial to be closed, and recommendations on what needs to be done.”

As the city of Dubai is leading the way towards inclusivity with the Certified Autism Destination™ initiative, Dubai Airports is pivotal with a clear message: inclusivity is not a trend, it’s the future of travel.

Delivering the global standard for training and certification in the fields of autism, neurodiversity, and accessibility, IBCCES provides a series of certification programs that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. For over two decades, IBCCES has been a global leader, setting the industry standard in autism and cognitive differences training.