Emirates airline has announced that it will be welcoming over 900 unaccompanied minors returning to Dubai next week after the summer holidays. These children, who are flying alone, are aged 11 years or younger and will be utilizing the airline’s unaccompanied minors and young passenger services.
The airline has reported that over the past five years, more than 120,000 children have used their unaccompanied minor service. The most frequent users of this service are families from the UK, followed by India, the United States, the Philippines, and France.
Children aged 12 to 15 are allowed to travel alone without using the unaccompanied minors service at the discretion of their parents or guardians. Upon arriving at Dubai International Airport (DXB), parents and guardians can go directly to the unaccompanied minors lounge near the check-in area.
The person dropping off the child must provide identification to the airline, and the guardian must sign a permission form. Once checked in, children have access to video games, free Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating while being under the supervision of a trained Emirates specialist for the entire journey.
For children aged 12-15, an optional Unaccompanied Minors Service is available for an extra fee of $50 per leg. Throughout the airport, the airline specialist will accompany the child, taking care of them and holding their passports for safety.
The specialist crew will assist with security and immigration and facilitate priority boarding to ensure a smooth flight experience. Prior to departure, the young flyers will be introduced to the cabin crew at the aircraft door.
During the flight, the cabin crew will be available to ensure the young travelers have a comfortable journey. Parents and guardians can arrange special dietary requirements and specify seating preferences. The cabin crew will also check on the child regularly to ensure their well-being throughout the trip.
