Emirates brings autism-friendly travel rehearsal programme to Brussels Airport

Emirates has expanded its accessibility initiatives in Europe by launching its Travel Rehearsal programme in Belgium, hosted at Brussels Airport in partnership with Centrum kLIM.

Designed to make air travel less daunting for neurodiverse passengers, the initiative offers participants a guided, real-world simulation of the airport journey—before they actually fly. Airports can be highly stimulating and unpredictable environments, particularly for individuals with autism or other accessibility needs. The rehearsal aims to reduce that uncertainty by familiarising travellers with each step of the process.

Timed to coincide with World Autism Day, the Brussels event welcomed five children with autism, accompanied by their families and support staff. Participants experienced a full walkthrough of the airport journey, including check-in, security screening, immigration, duty-free areas, and boarding gates. The session also covered arrival procedures, including baggage claim and customs, offering a complete end-to-end simulation.

Jean-Pierre Martin, Emirates’ Country Manager in Belgium, framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to remove “invisible barriers” to travel. As the world’s first autism-certified airline, Emirates is positioning itself at the forefront of inclusive aviation, working with local partners to build passenger confidence and independence.

From a support perspective, Chantal Polansky highlighted the importance of preparation for children with autism. She noted that structured experiences like the rehearsal can significantly reduce anxiety and enable families—who might otherwise avoid flying—to consider air travel as a viable option.

At the airport level, Sylvie Van den Eynde, Chief Passenger Officer at Brussels Airport, underscored the role of inclusive design in everyday operations. Alongside the rehearsal programme, the airport participates in the Sunflower initiative, using discreet identifiers such as sunflower lanyards to help staff recognise and assist passengers with non-visible disabilities.

Since its debut in Dubai in 2025, Emirates’ Travel Rehearsal programme has been rolled out in more than 20 cities across its global network, with further expansions planned. The Brussels edition signals growing momentum behind accessibility-focused innovation in aviation—where passenger experience is increasingly defined not just by efficiency, but by inclusivity.