Emirates Airline is forecasting one of its busiest starts to the year, with outbound and inbound traffic peaking between 2 and 5 January as residents return from New Year holidays and international visitors arrive for the Dubai Shopping Festival.
In a statement this morning, the carrier urged passengers to reach Dubai International Airport at least four hours before departure and to complete formalities online or at its off-airport facilities. Customers who drop luggage at the Emirates City Check-In & Travel Store in DIFC—or at the City Check-In in Ajman—before 15 January will earn 2,500 Skywards miles per booking. First-class and Platinum Skywards members can also schedule free home check-in across Dubai and Sharjah.
![Emirates flags 2–5 January as peak-travel window, offers bonus miles for remote check-in]()
The airline has coordinated with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to ensure 24-hour metro services to Terminal 3, but it still warns of congested car parks and longer immigration queues during the four-day peak. Additional staff and volunteers have been rostered to fast-track families and travellers with tight connections.
For corporate travel managers, the advisory means that staff transiting Dubai early next week should leave extra layover buffers, pre-select seats, and confirm that passports and visas remain valid beyond the busy period to avoid re-issue delays at immigration counters. The airline’s bonus-mile incentive may also offset costs for companies willing to direct employees to remote check-in points.
In a statement this morning, the carrier urged passengers to reach Dubai International Airport at least four hours before departure and to complete formalities online or at its off-airport facilities. Customers who drop luggage at the Emirates City Check-In & Travel Store in DIFC—or at the City Check-In in Ajman—before 15 January will earn 2,500 Skywards miles per booking. First-class and Platinum Skywards members can also schedule free home check-in across Dubai and Sharjah.
The airline has coordinated with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to ensure 24-hour metro services to Terminal 3, but it still warns of congested car parks and longer immigration queues during the four-day peak. Additional staff and volunteers have been rostered to fast-track families and travellers with tight connections.
For corporate travel managers, the advisory means that staff transiting Dubai early next week should leave extra layover buffers, pre-select seats, and confirm that passports and visas remain valid beyond the busy period to avoid re-issue delays at immigration counters. The airline’s bonus-mile incentive may also offset costs for companies willing to direct employees to remote check-in points.
Source: Emirates Media Centre
