Brace yourselves for one of the airport’s most hectic weeks of the year…

Airport officials are warning that more than 1.9 million passengers are expected to pass through Dubai International Airport this week, with Eid Al Fitr and school holidays coinciding.

DXB says it is boosting staff numbers to deal with the extra traffic, as many Dubai residents jet off in search of cooler climes for the long weekend.

According to Dubai Airports, the busiest day for departures will be Friday, June 23, with more than 76,000 departing passengers.

The busiest day for overall traffic is expected to be Friday, June 30, with more than 262,000 departing, arriving and connecting passengers.

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Dubai Airports says it will use “passenger flow monitoring technology” to deploy extra staff to areas of high passenger concentrations.

In a bid to encourage passengers to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare, DXB has launched an “Early Birds Have More Fun” campaign, where you can get discounts on restaurants and spa treatments at the airport, and go in the draw to win a trip to the Maldives (you can find out more about that here).

Travelling with Emirates? The airline is predicting that more than 106,000 travellers will pass though Terminal 3 during this period. The busiest day for the airline is expected to be Friday, June 23, when more than 37,000 passengers will depart through its terminal.

Emirates is recommending passengers arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight departs.

“With ongoing heavy road works and construction around the main airport highways, customers are encouraged to plan extra time to avoid potential delays,” the airline said in a statement.

“Passengers can physically check in at the airport as early as six hours before departing on their flight. They are requested to check in no later than 90 minutes prior to departure, regardless of class of travel.”

Here are some more tips for a smooth Dubai departure…

– Be sure to check which airport/terminal you are departing from before leaving home. Check dubaiairports.ae for flight status.

– Arrive early at the airport. It is best to leave a minimum of three hours for check-in and passport control. Take into consideration daily rush hours and available routes in calculating your commuting time to the airport.

– Download the UAEWallet app, and register your details so you don’t have to use your passport to get through the gates (and saving time in the process).

– Make sure your suitcase complies with Dubai Airports’ strict new baggage regulations. Remember, only bags that have a flat surface will be checked in.

– Make sure all liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) in your check-in baggage are in a clear re-sealable plastic bag. Each item should not be more than 100ml, and the total content of all items should not be more than one litre.

– Take off all metal items – like watches, belts, etc, before you go through the security screening. Perhaps put it in your hand luggage before you even get to the security area to save time.

– Check in online (when possible) or use the self-service check-in kiosks in the departures hall.

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