Emirates has brought its Travel Rehearsal programme to Colombia for the first time, giving people on the autism spectrum a chance to practice the airport journey before an actual flight, the airline said.

The rehearsal was held at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, the Colombian capital. Emirates described it as the first initiative of its kind in the country.

According to the airline's press release issued on October 16, the programme is a guided simulation of the entire air travel journey. It is meant to help travellers with accessibility needs become familiar with airport procedures and onboard environments before they travel, making flying more predictable and comfortable.

Participants from local communities went through check-in, baggage drop, security screening, and boarding, according to Emirates. They also visited an Emirates aircraft, met cabin crew and went through a simulated arrival, including baggage reclaim and customs procedures.

The event was organised in line with Emirates’ accessible travel commitment and El Dorado’s accessibility programme, which the airport calls “El Dorado More Accessible”.

Gianmarco Mazetti, Emirates’ Area Manager for Colombia, said the rehearsal gave participants the chance to experience the airport journey in a “relaxed and supportive environment”. He said the experience would help them build confidence for future travel. Mazetti also thanked the airport for its support and credited Emirates Airport Services staff with organising and hosting the event.

Victor Alfredo Sanchez, the airport’s Director of Customer Experience and Service, said “El Dorado More Accessible” is a set of programmes to improve access for passengers with non-visible disabilities. He said it includes the Sunflower Programme and “El Dorado at Your Own Pace”, which lets anxious travellers learn the airport journey and procedures before their travel day.

Emirates calls itself the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline. It said more than 35,000 of its cabin crew and ground staff have completed specialised autism awareness training. The training covers the autism spectrum, common misconceptions, travel challenges and personalised support for passengers’ needs.

The airline said its Airport Services teams have arranged more than 40 such rehearsals for over 250 families since April 2025. The sessions have been held at airports including Accra, Athens, Bali, Barcelona, Cairo, Delhi, Dubai, Istanbul, London, Madrid, Paris, Peshawar, Sydney, Toronto and Trivandrum.