Emirates has extended its ‘Travel Rehearsal’ programme – designed to help children with autism familiarise themselves with air travel – to destinations across Africa, including Durban, Luanda and Mauritius.
This forms part of the airline’s global roll-out across 17 cities, with Barcelona, Brisbane, Budapest, Cebu, Christchurch, Dubai, Madrid, Manila, Manchester, Montreal, Nice, Oslo, Paris and Toronto also receiving the programme.
Emirates added that more destinations were committing to the programme every month.
Originally piloted in Dubai last year, the initiative provides children with autism and their families the chance to simulate an entire airport journey – from check-in to boarding – in a stress-free and supportive environment.
The airline's latest move coincides with its designation as the world’s first Autism Certified Airline, having trained over 30 000 cabin crew and ground staff in autism and sensory awareness.
