Emirates expands Travel Rehearsal for neurodiverse children at Clark Airport

Emirates, the world’s first Autism‑Certified airline, has extended its Travel Rehearsal programme to Clark International Airport in the Philippines, marking its second such event in the country after a pilot session in Cebu. The three‑hour rehearsal involved 22 neurodiverse students, their parents or guardians, and eight teachers from Hand Prints School of Progressive Education and Beyond Play Learning Center. Participants were guided through each step of the airport journey—check‑in, immigration, security screening, the departure concourse and a simulated boarding process—while Emirates staff and airport partners explained procedures and answered questions.

The initiative was delivered in cooperation with Clark Airport, its customer‑service team, border control, the Office for Transportation Security and Emirates’ ground‑handling partner. Khalid Al Zarooni, Emirates’ Country Manager for the Philippines, said the program “makes travel more inclusive long before a customer boards a flight” and hopes it encourages families to view travel as an enjoyable experience. Emirates earned its Autism‑Certified status in 2025 after training more than 35,000 cabin crew and ground staff on autism awareness and sensory‑sensitivity support.