Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports launch welcome-back perks for returning residents

Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports have unveiled a series of welcome-back initiatives for residents returning from the summer holidays, offering free refreshments, live entertainment, giveaways and cultural experiences as families prepare for the start of the school year on Monday, August 31. Dubai International Airport is staging activities across Terminal 3 throughout August, while Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi is distributing “cultural boarding passes” and providing children and seniors with free access to selected museums in Saadiyat Cultural District.

“DXB is the gateway to Dubai and, for many guests, their first point of connection with the city,” said Michelle Lee, vice president of brand and communications at Dubai Airports. “From the moment people arrive or travel through the airport, we want those moments to reflect what makes Dubai distinctive: its energy, warmth, diversity and the people who bring the city to life.”

At Dubai International Airport, the programme is concentrated in Terminal 3 and includes a range of passenger-facing activations designed for arriving residents, tourists and transit passengers. Younger passengers are being greeted by mascots from Dubai Police and the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, while a local musician performs live in the Arrivals area. Families and friends can create personalised signs at the Make Your Welcome Home Sign station using Dubai-inspired decorations and stickers, and all travellers can participate in the I Heart DXB interactive installation near Gate B28, uploading selfies to become part of a shared portrait in the colours of the UAE flag. Passengers leaving by Dubai Taxi are being offered complimentary refreshments, cold towels and treats, and transfer passengers can watch live performances and collect refreshments at transfer desks. Limited-edition stickers and pins are also available.

In Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi Airports and the culture sector of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi have coordinated the Welcome Back to Abu Dhabi campaign at Zayed International Airport with a focus on encouraging families to experience the emirate’s cultural offerings. Arrivals are handed specially designed cultural boarding passes containing information on events and experiences across the emirate, while QR codes guide families to curated itineraries, educational guides and museum highlights. Children and senior citizens are being offered free access to a selection of museums in Saadiyat Cultural District, and younger visitors will receive special campaign giveaways.

Operational measures and school-year context

The airport initiatives coincide with the return of more than 1.27 million pupils to over 1,180 public and private schools across the UAE on August 31. Authorities are preparing for increased road activity and have introduced additional safety measures. Dubai Police has trained more than 140 security guards across 35 schools in traffic safety, drop-off procedures and emergency response, and will deploy 253 patrols and 28 drones around schools. The Roads and Transport Authority has increased the frequency of more than 30 bus routes and added taxis in school zones, while police in Abu Dhabi and other emirates have also increased patrols around schools and major intersections. Federal government employees with children returning to primary and secondary school can use flexible working hours on the first day, with up to three hours allowed for drop-offs and pick-ups.

Outlook

• Airports expect the welcome-back activations to enhance traveller experience during one of the busiest family travel periods of the year.
• Authorities’ traffic and safety measures aim to reduce delays and improve drop-off and pick-up efficiency as schools reopen.
• Collaborations between airports, airlines and cultural bodies position passenger arrivals as an opportunity to promote local museums, heritage sites and family-oriented itineraries across the emirates.