Dubai Airports unveils 10-year accessibility plan
New services enhance travel for visible and hidden disabilities
DUBAI – Dubai Airports has unveiled the next phase of its accessibility strategy, a renewed 10-year commitment to transform both Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) into the world’s most accessible and inclusive airports by 2035.
The plan is designed to strengthen the foundations already in place while enhancing the guest experience at every touchpoint. It is closely aligned with international best practice, the UAE’s commitment to the rights of People of Determination (PoD), and the emirate’s wider vision of becoming a disability-friendly city.
Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports, said the pledge is central to the organisation’s long-term mission: “Our commitment to accessibility is not just a promise; it is a core pillar of our mission to deliver a world-class travel experience for every single guest. By working closely with our partners and, most importantly and for the first time, with the wider People of Determination community, we are transforming the entire airport journey and setting a new global standard for accessible travel.”
What is changing?
The new phase of the strategy has been launched alongside a public awareness campaign, co-created with People of Determination and delivered with the support of oneDXB partners. Branded under the pledge “DXB for All”, it brings to life six powerful real-life stories, showcasing the challenges and successes of travelling through the world’s busiest international airport.
Stories feature a child with sensory sensitivities navigating the terminal with his mother, a deaf traveller relying on employees’ sign language skills, and tactile guidance for a guest with a visual impairment. Other experiences highlight mobility challenges and the role of airport staff in ensuring seamless and respectful interactions.
How is the campaign unique?
Building on the “We All Meet the World Differently” (WAMTWD) campaign first introduced in 2022, the latest initiative highlights accessibility as more than just physical infrastructure. Instead, it focuses on reshaping mindsets and encouraging empathy among airport employees, travellers, and the wider public.
Among those lending their voices to the campaign are Emirati accessibility pioneer Fatma Al Jassim, award-winning disability inclusion consultant and former Paralympic swimmer Jessica Smith, and Dubai-based mother Yasmin Carey with her son Ellis, who is on the autism spectrum. Also featured are Layth Kamal, who lives with autism and ADHD, advocate for the visually impaired Mohammed Alghafli, and deaf community representative Ahmed Butti.
Who is involved?
The strategy is a collaborative effort with partners across the oneDXB community, including Emirates, flydubai, Dubai Police, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDIFA), Dubai Customs, dnata, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS), Dubai Taxi Company (DTC), Dubai Health, Dubai Duty Free and Serco. This cross-sector collaboration ensures that every stage of the journey, from check-in to boarding, is designed to be accessible and inclusive.
Dubai Airports already provides a wide range of support services for guests with both visible and hidden disabilities. These include the Travel Planner, an online visual guide to help travellers prepare for their journey, as well as the Sunflower Lanyard programme, which discreetly identifies travellers needing additional assistance. Holders of the lanyard gain access to priority lanes and autism-friendly routes through the airport.
Further support measures include complimentary two-hour parking, dedicated taxis, wheelchair services, hearing loops across more than 520 touchpoints, and the sensory-friendly Assisted Travel Lounge located in Terminal 2.