While Australian airlines are currently operating at just 26 per cent of pre-COVID capacity, Emirates, the world’s biggest airline is showing the world how to manage and grow in the current environment.The carrier handled nearly 1.2 million customers at its hub in the summer months of July and August. The comparison to the same period in 2020 is stark – just 402,000.
Since then the carrier has gradually restored its network and flight schedules to over 120 destinations today, with more flights to be layered onto over 20 Emirates routes by October. The painful period for the carrier has however resulted in rapid growth in new technology to make boarding aircraft easier – and to ensure a healthy environment.
Moving seamlessly through an airport without having to present travel documents at every stage of your airport experience is no longer a dream thanks to biometric technology. Emirates now has more than 30 biometric cameras in active operation at its Dubai airport hub, including at check-in counters, at the entrances of its First and Business Class lounges, and select boarding gates.
Since implementation, over 58,000 customers have used this convenient, contactless and secure verification option to access the Emirates Lounge, and more than 380,000 customers have used biometric gates to board their flight.The airline has also worked closely with Dubai airport stakeholders including the immigration team (GDRFA) to re-activate Smart Gates that enable eligible travellers to cruise through passport control on arrival and departure in a matter of seconds, using new contactless technology. Enabling customers to check-in, receive their boarding pass, choose seats on board, and drop off their bags, new self-service check-in and bag drop kiosks have seen increasing usage since its introduction in September 2020.
The carrier’s COVID-19 information hub, updated at least once daily, has become one of the top authoritative sources of information for travellers.
Emirates has also been a forerunner in adopting digital verification solutions for travel, from adopting the IATA Travel Pass to partnering with the UAE health authorities to enable seamless digital checks for COVID-19 travel documentation. By October, the airline would have extended the implementation of IATA Travel Pass for customers at all of its destinations.
All its bio-safety protocols are continually reviewed and updated in line with the latest medical guidance. Emirates has also tapped on its partnership with the UAE’s Aviation X-lab innovation incubator program to pilot robot cleaning trials in its signature lounges at Dubai airport. These robots use special technology to eliminate most viruses and ensure a healthier environment.
More than 95 per cent of all employees are now fully vaccinated.
Edited by Ian Mcintosh
