Travelling through the United Arab Emirates can be much easier when you know where to find the right support. Whether you need wheelchair assistance, hidden disability support, mobility help, a quiet space, or help navigating the airport with an autistic child, many UAE airports offer dedicated services for People of Determination (the UAE’s official term for disabled passengers).
This guide lists the main airports across the UAE, including links to their special assistance, reduced mobility and hidden disability support services where available.
If you are travelling with autism, sensory needs, mobility equipment, a wheelchair, a disability pushchair, or a hidden disability such as anxiety, ADHD or chronic illness, these are the pages you should check before you fly.
What is Airport Special Assistance in the UAE?
Special assistance covers support for passengers who need extra help moving through the airport or boarding their flight.
This can include:
- Wheelchair assistance
- Help through check-in, security and passport control
- Priority boarding
- Ambulift boarding for remote stands
- Help with mobility aids or disability pushchairs
- Assistance for hidden disabilities
- Sunflower Lanyard schemes
- Sensory spaces or quiet rooms
- Accessible toilets and changing facilities
- Accessible transport and parking
Most assistance should be requested through your airline at least 48 hours before travel. My guide to getting help at the airport as a disabled person explains exactly what special assistance is and how to get help at the airport when you travel.
UAE Airports Special Assistance Links
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Dubai International is the busiest airport in the UAE and offers extensive support for People of Determination, including visible and non-visible disabilities.
Services include:
- Wheelchair assistance
- Priority support from kerb to gate
- Hidden disability support
- Accessible transport and parking
- Accessible toilets, lifts and prayer rooms
- Boarding assistance
- Buggy services
- Special assistance across all terminals
Special assistance page: Dubai Airports Special Assistance
Dubai Airports specifically includes hidden disabilities support and services for non-visible disabilities.
This also covers both DXB and Dubai World Central (DWC / Al Maktoum International below).
Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC)
DWC falls under Dubai Airports and uses the same accessibility and special assistance system as DXB.
Support includes:
- Reduced mobility assistance
- Hidden disability support
- Accessible facilities
- Medical transportation assistance
- Wheelchair services
Special assistance page: DWC Special Assistance via Dubai Airports
Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi (AUH)
Previously known as Abu Dhabi International Airport, Zayed International Airport offers one of the strongest hidden disability programmes in the region.
Services include:
- Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Sensory Space
- Special Assistance desks
- Wheelchair support
- Terminal buggy services
- Accessible taxis
- Priority lanes
- Low-level check-in desks
- Ambulift support
- Accessible parking
Sunflower lanyards are available from Special Assistance desks, and the airport launched the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme in 2024. If you are new to the Sunflower Lanyard scheme, my guide explains what the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard is and how to get one of your own.
Special assistance page: Zayed International Airport Special Assistance
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
Sharjah International Airport provides mobility assistance and accessibility services for passengers requiring extra support.
Typical services include:
- Wheelchair support
- Boarding assistance
- Reduced mobility support
- Accessible facilities
Passengers should usually arrange support through their airline when booking.
Airport assistance information page: Sharjah International Airport Special Assistance
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT)
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport supports passengers requiring mobility assistance and wheelchair services.
Support may include:
- Wheelchair assistance
- Boarding help
- PRM support
- Accessible access routes
Special assistance information: Ras Al Khaimah International Airport Special Assitance
The special assistance information for Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is extremely limited on their website – but do check it incase they have updated it. I would recommend using their contact information if you have any questions about special assistance services.
Contact information for Ras Al Khaimah International Airport:
Telephone: +971 7 2075200
Email: info@rakairport.com
Fujairah International Airport (FJR)
Fujairah International Airport offers reduced mobility assistance for passengers who request support in advance.
Typical services include:
- Wheelchair assistance
- Boarding support
- Mobility help
Special assistance information: Fujairah International Airport
The special assistance information for Fujairah Airport is on their passenger services page – unfortunately, I cannot actually access the page for some reason but hopefully you can if you need it.
Contact Fujairah International Airport:
Email: info@fia.ae
Telephone: +971 9 2226222
Al Ain International Airport (AAN)
Al Ain International Airport is managed under Abu Dhabi Airports and assistance is typically arranged through airline support.
Airport information: via Abu Dhabi Airports
Which UAE Airport is Best for Hidden Disability Support?
Currently, the strongest hidden disability support is found at:
Zayed International Airport (AUH)
Because it offers:
- Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Sensory Space
- trained staff
- dedicated hidden disability recognition
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Because it offers:
- dedicated hidden disability support pages
- support for visible and non-visible disabilities
- priority services for neurodivergent travellers
These are usually the easiest UAE airports for autistic families and passengers with non-visible disabilities.
Tips Before You Fly to The UAE with Autistic Children
Request Assistance Early
Always request support through your airline at least 48 hours before departure. You can also add a booking in the PRM Assist app, but I would recommend doing this as a backup only and making contact with the airline as a priority.
Use the Correct Airline Code
If your child is autistic or has non-visible support needs, ask your airline about adding DPNA or the correct assistance code to your booking. My guide breaks down all the disability codes airlines use, and you can learn more about the DPNA code from my post which details what it is, who it is for and how it should be used.
Bring Supporting Documents
This can include:
- fit to fly letters
- medication letters (learn what to include on a doctors letter in my guide)
- proof for mobility equipment
- EpiPen documentation (learn more about flying with EpiPens from my post)
- disability pushchair confirmation (my disability pushchair tag might come in useful)
Ask About Quiet Spaces
Not every airport advertises sensory spaces clearly, so ask directly.
The UAE has made major improvements for accessible travel, especially for People of Determination and travellers with hidden disabilities.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the strongest airports for autism-friendly and hidden disability support, but all major airports can provide reduced mobility assistance when arranged properly.
Free tourist eSIM
Tourists area able to get a free eSIM when visiting the UAE. I have a seperate guide that explains how it works and how to get a free tourist eSIM in the United Arab Emirates.
Planning ahead makes a huge difference.
If your child struggles with crowds, noise, queues or unexpected changes, using airport special assistance can completely change the travel experience.
If you are planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates, my guide to visiting with autistic children is the best place to start.
Continue Planning Your UAE Trip With Kids
- Choose the right emirate based on your child’s needs
- Use indoor attractions to manage heat and overwhelm
- Plan transport to reduce unpredictability
- Build in downtime between activities
For a full list, check out our United Arab Emirates archives.
Continue Planning Your Middle East Trip With Kids
- Start at the beginning, with my guide to visiting the Middle East with autistic children
- If you need an easier introduction to the Middle East, check out Turkey with kids
- For big city exploration in the Middle East, consider visiting Qatar with autistic kids
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted at the last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With My Guides
You can click on each image to go directly to the guide for that topic.
