Denpasar, Indonesia – February 18, 2026 – Emirates has expanded its global Travel Rehearsal Programme to Bali, hosting its first session in Denpasar as part of its broader “Accessible Travel for All” strategy. The initiative aims to make air travel more predictable and less stressful for neurodiverse children and individuals with sensory sensitivities.
Emirates, recognized as the world’s first Autism Certified Airline, originally launched the Travel Rehearsal programme in Dubai in 2024 with 30 families. Since then, the initiative has expanded to Barcelona, Brisbane, Dubai, Manila, Madrid, Toronto, and now Denpasar.
To support inclusive service delivery, more than 30,000 Emirates cabin crew and ground staff have completed specialized training focused on autism awareness, sensory sensitivities and appropriate passenger support techniques.
Bringing Inclusive Travel to Life in Denpasar
The latest session took place at Denpasar International Airport (DPS) and welcomed 17 participants, including eight children with autism accompanied by guardians, teachers and a parent.
The guided simulation covered the full end-to-end passenger journey, including:
- Arrival at the International Drop Zone
- Check-in procedures
- Security screening
- Immigration processing
- Boarding and cabin seating
- Inflight experience
- Disembarkation
- Arrival immigration
- Baggage claim and customs clearance
- Final pick-up area
By rehearsing each stage in advance, participants were able to familiarize themselves with the sensory-rich airport environment, reducing anxiety and increasing confidence ahead of real travel.
Strategic Partnerships Supporting the Initiative
Majid Al Falasi, Emirates Country Manager Indonesia, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the programme’s rollout in Bali.
Emirates partnered with:
- PT JAS Airport Services
- PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia
- Immigration authorities
- Quarantine and Customs officials
- CAA Airport Authority Region IV
Al Falasi noted that the milestone reflects both Bali’s global tourism importance and Emirates’ long-term commitment to accessible travel across its international network.
Extending Awareness Beyond the Airport
Emirates continues to promote neurodiversity awareness onboard through its award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice. The platform offers curated films, documentaries, podcasts and television programming designed to foster understanding and inclusion among global audiences.
In April 2025, Emirates released a dedicated video documenting its accessibility journey and the international expansion of the Travel Rehearsal programme. The film highlights the emotional challenges faced by neurodiverse passengers and demonstrates how structured preparation combined with trained staff can significantly improve the travel experience.
Advancing Accessible Travel Globally
With Bali now included in the programme’s growing footprint, Emirates continues to set new benchmarks in inclusive aviation. By combining staff training, structured passenger preparation and cross-sector collaboration, the airline is working to make air travel more accessible and empowering for neurodiverse families worldwide.
