Emirates Airline is encouraging passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to their flight departure time. Photo: Emirates
Emirates Airline is encouraging passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to their flight departure time. Photo: Emirates
Emirates Airline is encouraging passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to their flight departure time. Photo: Emirates
Emirates Airline is encouraging passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to their flight departure time. Photo: Emirates

Dubai Airport expects two million passengers over New Year holiday: how to beat the rush


Selina Denman
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai Airport is gearing up for another peak travel period, with an estimated two million passengers expected to pass through Dubai International Airport between now and January 8, 2022.

Meanwhile, Emirates expects nearly a million passengers to fly with the airline through Dubai International Airport between now and January 10.

When should I get to the airport?

In line with Dubai International’s safety precautions, only passengers with valid tickets will be allowed into the terminal building.

Emirates is encouraging passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to their flight departure time, and to ensure they have all the required documents based on the specific entry and testing requirements of their destination.

Customers who check in less than 60 minutes before departure will not be accepted for travel.

How do I speed up the check-in process?

To avoid the rush, passengers can use the airline’s various early check-in options. Most customers are able to check in up to 24 hours before their flight using 32 self-service bag drop machines and 16 check-in kiosks at Terminal 3, or at Emirates check-in desks.

This service is available on flights to all destinations except the US, Thailand, China, India and Hong Kong due to additional safety checks required from these countries.

Dubai International also has a car park check-in facility, in Zone C of Terminal 3. There are no parking charges for those using the drop-off lane adjacent to this facility.

Customers who are dropped off at the Terminal 3 departures car park anywhere between 24 to six hours before departure can use the self-service kiosks to print their boarding passes on the spot, but must still complete their immigration formalities no later than 60 minutes before their flight time.

Online check-in can be completed via the Emirates website or mobile app, between 48 hours and 90 minutes before departure. Digital boarding passes will only be supplied for select destinations.

When should I be at my departure gate?

Gates open 90 minutes before departure and close 20 minutes before departure. Boarding starts 45 minutes before the flight. Emirates will not accept passengers reporting late to their boarding gate. Check-in and gate closure timings are being strictly followed to ensure flights depart on time during this busy period.

Staying safe in the airport

Passengers can use the biometric path in Terminal 3 for a contactless journey from specific check-in desks, Emirates dedicated lounges and boarding gates. This process cuts out any document checks or queuing.

Advanced cleaning technologies are used across high traffic areas at Emirates lounges, including seats and handrails. Social distancing measures are maintained through floor markings and signage, while sanitising stations and Plexiglas partitions are in place across all Emirates check-in desks.

Scroll through the gallery below to see Dubai Airport's in-house PCR testing facility.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
  • Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
  • Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
  • The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
  • Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
  • It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
  • Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
  • Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
QUALIFYING RESULTS

1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.

Eliminated after second session

11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.

Eliminated after first session

15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.

Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE

Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:

• Buy second hand stuff

 They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.

• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres

 Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.

• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.

Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.

• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home

Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.

War and the virus
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Updated: December 30, 2021, 9:20 AM`