PERTH, AUSTRALIA – 4 September 2026 – Emirates has hosted Travel Rehearsal events across Australia, including a session in Perth, delivering immersive airport and onboard simulations designed to support neurodiverse passengers and their families to fly <a href="https://middleeastdaily.net/psx-786-investments-ltd-join-forces-with-ladiesfund-to-empower-women-to-build-wealth/”>with confidence. The initiative marks a significant milestone in the airline’s commitment to making travel more inclusive and less overwhelming.
The Perth session follows Travel Rehearsal events held in Brisbane and Melbourne. The simulation sessions offer neurodiverse passengers the opportunity to experience the entire travel journey in a calm and supportive environment. The initial sessions welcomed 18 participants and their families across both cities.
Dean Cleaver, Regional Sales Manager at Emirates said: “Our promise to ‘Fly Better’ extends to every passenger, and we are incredibly proud to bring the Travel Rehearsal initiative to Australia. These events are a credit to the fantastic collaboration with our airport partners and local community advocates, who share our vision for truly accessible travel. Seeing the confidence it builds for families first-hand is a testament to its importance.
“We have already done these events Melbourne and Brisbane and Perth is a really special one as the participants have got on board. We are really excited about this initiative and will continue to do it across all our Australian gateways.”
The Perth event saw participants complete a comprehensive end-to-end simulation – from check-in, passport control, and security screening to a visit to the sensory room, before boarding a static aircraft for a full onboard safety briefing and cabin familiarisation. The Melbourne event focused on the departure processes, helping families gain familiarity with the earliest stages of their journey.
Kate Holsgrove, Chief Commercial & Aviation Officer, Perth Airport, added: “Hosting tours at Perth Airport in partnership with Emirates gives families the opportunity to experience the airport environment in a practical and supportive way, helping to reduce travel anxiety and build confidence ahead of their journey.
“Creating an inclusive and accessible experience for all travellers is a priority for us, and we are proud to support a program that delivers such a meaningful benefit to our community.”
The Wallace Family who took part in the Travel Rehearsal with Emirates, said: “We think it’s really important for kids with neurodiversity to experience what it is going to be like, particularly going on a long-haul flight, like we are next week. I think its unbeatable for kids and families!”
A Holistic Approach to Inclusive Travel
Beyond the Travel Rehearsal event, Emirates continues to enhance its accessibility offering. In April 2025, Emirates achieved its Autism Certified Airline™ designation, with more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff worldwide completing specialised training to better support customers with autism and sensory sensitivities.
Passengers can plan their journey using the dedicated Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on emirates.com and can expect sensory-friendly products and fidget tools onboard. The airline’s award-winning ice entertainment system features over 600 movies with closed captions and 200 with audio descriptions. At Dubai International Airport, customers can use a dedicated Autism Friendly Route to ensure a smoother transit.
Ongoing Commitment to Australia
Emirates has been deeply committed to Australia for nearly three decades, and its investment goes well beyond the flights it operates. The airline operates 70 direct weekly services to and from five Australian gateways: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Since December 2025, all five Australian cities in Emirates’ network have offered Emirates’ next-generation aircrafts, amounting to over 5,000 weekly Premium Economy seats between Australia and Dubai.
Emirates has also invested over $230 million into a formidable portfolio of sponsorships across sports and the arts in Australia, including the Australian Open, Collingwood Football Club, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
In 2025, Emirates also launched its Force for Good program in Australia in partnership with the Australian Tennis Foundation. The initiative will introduce tennis to disadvantaged youth over five years and in the five cities the airline flies to. In last year alone, the program offered more than 6,500 opportunities to play tennis across over 50 schools and community courts.
For more information, visit the Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on emirates.com.