Emirates and ADR launch ‘Travel Rehearsal’ to champion inclusive journeys in Rome
Hands-on airport simulation builds confidence before departure day
DUBAI/ROME – Emirates and Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) have joined forces to help dismantle the invisible barriers that prevent millions of people from travelling.
The airline and airport operator recently hosted a dedicated ‘Travel Rehearsal’ at Rome Fiumicino Airport, offering young people with autism and sensory sensitivities the opportunity to experience the airport journey in a supportive environment. The initiative reflects a wider global effort to make air travel more accessible and inclusive.
Worldwide, more than 100 million people live with autism and/or sensory sensitivities. Data indicates that 78 per cent refrain from travelling due to anxiety about navigating unfamiliar and high-stimulus environments such as airports. The Rome rehearsal sought to address those concerns directly, replacing uncertainty with familiarity through practical exposure.
Inclusive experience
Delivered in collaboration with ANGSA Lazio APS (Associazione Nazionale Genitori perSone con Autismo), the full-scale rehearsal welcomed 12 children and young adults, accompanied by 16 caregivers. Participants were guided through the terminal at Rome Fiumicino Airport, simulating each stage of a typical departure process.
The experience included check-in procedures, security screening and boarding processes. By moving through the airport alongside regular passengers, participants were able to understand the rhythm and flow of a busy international hub. The structured yet realistic setting allowed them to observe, ask questions and acclimatise to the sensory stimuli that often trigger stress.
This micro-experiential approach is designed to reduce anxiety ahead of an actual journey. For individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities, advance familiarity with sounds, spaces and procedures can significantly improve their ability to manage emotional responses on the day of travel. Families also benefit, gaining a clearer understanding of routes, timing and practical steps, helping to prevent potential challenges before departure.
‘Travel Rehearsal’
The ‘Travel Rehearsal’ programme was first pioneered at Emirates’ hub in Dubai and has since been progressively introduced across strategic gateways worldwide following positive outcomes. The launch in Rome marks a significant step in its European expansion.
The selection of Rome Fiumicino Airport carries particular weight. The airport has been recognised as Europe’s best airport for eight consecutive years and serves as a key gateway within Emirates’ international network. By bringing the initiative to Italy, Emirates extends its accessibility framework beyond its home hub, reinforcing a broader commitment to inclusive aviation standards.
The programme also underscores the principle that travel without reliance on specialised assistance should be attainable for all passengers. Infrastructure, processes and staff readiness play a central role in ensuring that both visible and invisible needs are addressed within mainstream airport operations.
Community commitment
Operational success for initiatives of this nature depends on the engagement of the entire airport community. This includes comprehensive staff training to enable airline and airport personnel to recognise and empathetically respond to hidden disabilities.
Marco D’ilario, Italian Emirates Country Manager, said no passenger should feel excluded from the opportunity to explore the world because of an invisible barrier. He stated that the initiative aims to transform uncertainty into confidence and anxiety into excitement, restoring the possibility of travel for families who may otherwise avoid it.
Veronica Pamio, Senior Vice President External Affairs, Sustainability and Destination Management at Aeroporti di Roma, described the February 21 event as an effort to turn a potentially complex experience into an accessible and empowering opportunity. She said guiding young participants and their families step by step through a high-stimulus environment strengthens confidence in travel as a realistic option.
Pamio added that the collaboration with Emirates and ANGSA Lazio APS represents more than a single-day activity, describing it as a model capable of generating social value while expanding opportunities for mobility, autonomy and individual choice. She emphasised that inclusion forms a core principle of ADR’s development strategy, with continued investment planned to make the airport experience increasingly welcoming and people-centred.
Building on the programme’s established track record in Dubai and other major international cities, the Rome edition signals continued momentum in embedding accessibility within mainstream aviation. Through structured rehearsals and cross-sector collaboration, the initiative aims to ensure that the journey through an airport becomes not a source of apprehension, but a pathway to participation for travellers of all abilities.