Emirates has taken its accessibility-focused Travel Rehearsal programme to Madagascar, giving families in Antananarivo a chance to practise the airport experience before a real flight.
The airline held its first session in the country at Ivato International Airport (TNR), where children with autism from Zaz Heureux School and their families walked through the steps of a typical journey, from check-in to the departure gate. The idea is simple: make air travel feel more familiar, more predictable and less overwhelming.
For neurodivergent travellers and their carers, airport environments can be stressful because they involve multiple stages, unfamiliar spaces and a lot of waiting. Emirates says the rehearsal is designed to ease that pressure by allowing passengers to see what happens in advance, with support from airport and airline staff throughout.
What happened in Antananarivo
The Madagascar session was described as the first of its kind at Antananarivo’s airport. It was organised by Emirates with support from airport stakeholders and other partners.
Ten children with autism and their families took part in the exercise. Their guided route included:
- Check-in
- Security
- The departure lounge
- Immigration
- Luggage pick-up
- Meet and greet support from pre-arranged officers
One of the main moments of the day was a tour of an Emirates aircraft, where participants were able to sit onboard and experience the cabin setting in a calm environment.
Why the programme matters for travellers
Emirates says the Travel Rehearsal programme sits under its wider “Accessible Travel for All” approach. For families travelling with autistic or neurodivergent passengers, the benefit is not just learning the route through the airport. It is also about reducing the uncertainty that can come with the noise, movement and pace of a real travel day.
That matters because a first flight, or even a familiar route with a different airport layout, can be difficult for some passengers to manage. A rehearsal gives them a chance to practise the sequence and ask questions before the pressure of departure day.
Key takeaways for passengers
- The programme offers a guided simulation of the full airport experience.
- It is aimed at people with accessible travel requirements, especially neurodivergent travellers.
- Families can become familiar with airport procedures and onboard surroundings in advance.
- Emirates says the goal is to improve predictability and comfort.
Emirates’ wider accessibility push
Emirates says it became the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline after more than 35,000 cabin crew and ground staff completed autism awareness training. The training covers the autism spectrum, common misconceptions, travel-related challenges and support approaches tailored to individual needs.
Since April 2025, Emirates’ Airport Services teams have helped organise 40 travel rehearsals across airports in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia and the Americas, in addition to the airline’s Dubai hub.
The airline says the sessions have been run with local organisations, schools and airport teams in a long list of cities, including Accra, Athens, Bali, Barcelona, Bologna, Brussels, Christchurch, Da Nang, Delhi, Dubai, Dublin, Durban, Düsseldorf, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guangzhou, Harare, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Madrid, Milan, Newcastle, Nice, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Peshawar, Port Luis, Rome, Stansted, Stockholm, Sydney, Toronto, Venice, Vienna and Warsaw.
What travellers can learn from this initiative
While the Madagascar rehearsal was a local event, it also reflects a broader shift in how airlines and airports think about passenger support. Accessible travel is increasingly about preparation, not just assistance on the day of travel.
For travellers and families, programmes like this can help by:
- Reducing uncertainty before departure
- Helping passengers understand airport routines
- Giving carers a chance to plan ahead
- Making the first flight experience less intimidating
Emirates’ Indian Ocean Islands manager, Oomar Ramtoola, said the airline was proud to complete its first travel rehearsal in Madagascar and thanked the airline’s Airport Services Management team, Ivato International Airport and other partners for their support. He said the airline would continue to promote accessible travel in Madagascar and across its network.
Bottom line
Emirates’ latest rehearsal in Madagascar is another sign that airport accessibility is moving beyond check-in assistance and wheelchair support. For families with neurodivergent travellers, the value is in being able to practise the journey before the pressure of the real thing.
With sessions now running across multiple continents, the programme is becoming a visible part of Emirates’ approach to accessible flying — and Antananarivo has now joined that network.