Travel Rehearsal in Colombia. Photo: Emirates After holding its first Travel Rehearsal for children with autism in the Maldives in June, Emirates has chosen Colombia's El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá to give travelers on the spectrum the chance to experience the airport journey before taking an actual flight.
The initiative, delivered in partnership with El Dorado International Airport, is designed to make air travel more predictable and less stressful by allowing participants to become familiar with airport procedures, security checks and the onboard environment in a supportive setting.
Travel Rehearsal in Colombia. Photo: EmiratesParticipants from local communities experienced the different stages of a typical journey, including check-in, baggage drop, security screening and boarding. They also visited an Emirates aircraft, met cabin crew members and took part in a simulated arrival, covering baggage collection and customs procedures.
The rehearsal forms part of Emirates’ accessible travel program and supports the airport’s El Dorado + Accessible initiative, which focuses on improving the experience of passengers with non-visible disabilities.
Gianmarco Mazetti, Emirates’ area manager for Colombia, said the exercise gave participants an opportunity to experience the airport journey in a relaxed environment and build confidence before future trips.
Travel Rehearsal in Colombia. Photo: EmiratesEmirates describes itself as the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline. More than 35,000 of its cabin crew and ground staff have completed specialized autism awareness training, covering the autism spectrum, common misconceptions, travel-related challenges and ways to provide support suited to individual needs.
Victor Alfredo Sanchez, director of customer experience and service at El Dorado International Airport, said the airport’s accessibility program includes initiatives such as the Sunflower Program and El Dorado at Your Own Pace. The latter allows passengers who experience travel-related anxiety to become familiar with airport procedures before their departure day.
The idea behind a Travel Rehearsal is to reduce uncertainty around unfamiliar surroundings and processes. For some autistic travelers, changes in routine, sensory stimulation and unexpected situations can make airports particularly challenging. A guided visit provides an opportunity to experience these situations in advance, without the time pressure of an actual departure.
Emirates said its Airport Services teams have organized more than 40 Travel Rehearsals for over 250 families since April 2025. The sessions have taken place at airports across its network, including Dubai, London, Athens, Delhi, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto and Vienna.
The Colombia event extends the initiative to Latin America and reflects cooperation between the airline and airport operator on accessibility measures.
While the rehearsal does not replace the assistance available during an actual journey, it offers participating families an opportunity to become more familiar with the environment before traveling.