More than 300 Dubai Airports staff have volunteered to help customers make their way through Dubai International as quickly and easily as possible during the summer rush season which started yesterday (June 15).

During June, July and August, the airport will experience its busiest period since the opening of Shaikh Rashid Terminal in 2000, with 20 per cent more passengers than last summer, more than 11 million people. In 2007, the airport handled more than nine million people in the same period, said an official spokesman.

The volunteer programme, which includes Dubai Duty Free (DDF) staff, is part of initiatives launched by Dubai Airports recently to manage the smooth operation of the terminal during the annual peak season from June to August.

“Our employees understand the challenges we face during the peak season and are going the extra mile by volunteering to improve the travellers’ experience. They are available at every step in the terminal journey, helping and assisting customers with their requirements,” said CEO of Dubai Airports Paul Griffiths.

The volunteers took part in a four-day workshop conducted by the terminal management staff where they learned more about airport operations, different airlines and the principles of excellent quality customer services.

Covering 35 different locations throughout the airport, from the kerb at departures, through check-in and Immigration, to the gates, the volunteers are working over three shifts and led by a member of the terminal management staff.

"We are all committed to providing the best possible experience for our customers and this is why the management team are on the ground, leading by example," added Griffiths.  "Our customers are important to us and we plan to make them feel welcome and appreciated each step of the way.”

The red-shirted volunteers carried out a trial-run last week, helping travelers move more quickly through queues by distributing clear re-sealable plastic bags for their liquids and gels, directing them to the different check-in kiosks and advising them at central screening machines to remove any metals on them, take laptops out of cases, etc.

“Our customers are able to undergo the security check in a much shorter time without any compromise to the security process," said head of operations at Dubai International Majed Al Joker.

Other measures are also being introduced at the airport to manage the increased influx of travellers, including more detailed signage, instruction videos, better screening machines, more check-in counters (including self and mobile check-in counters), more immigration counters, and e-gate registration facilities in both arrivals and departures.
Dubai Airports’ initiative complements the “Travel Tips for Smart Travellers” that were introduced at the beginning of June. These tips aim to help customers help themselves and their fellow travelers to proceed speedily through the airport.- TradeArabia News Service