(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The Abu Dhabi Airports (ADA) has announced that e-registration is mandatory for the Smart Travel initiative at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
In a statement, the ADA said e-registration counters have been set up in the check-in areas for passengers to register as they wait to check-in. Smart Travel was launched in March this year to enhance passenger experience by decreasing processing times within the airport by up to 70 per cent. The ADA also urged passengers to reach the airport at least three hours before their flight departure time, considering the delays at the airport due to the summer holiday rush. The statement said that the ADA is anticipating that around 85,000 passengers to depart from the Abu Dhabi International Airport this week due to the school holidays and Eid Al Fitr break. As many as 238,632 students from private schools and 130,428 students from public schools across Abu Dhabi are on vacation since last Thursday. Teachers will start their summer holidays from June 30. A good number of these students and their families are expected to travel to their home countries or just go abroad for a holiday. The school summer break coincides with Eid Al Fitr. Thus, ADA expects another 85,000 passengers to travel through the Abu Dhabi International Airport, with July 6, 10 and 11 forecasted to be the busiest days. Some of the preferred travel destinations this summer remain the UK and Germany in Europe, Thailand and Sri Lanka in Asia and Morocco in Africa. "We like going to London for the summer holiday because the weather is cooler, the shopping is good and we can speak English, which makes it easier to communicate," said Mariam Al Balouchi, an Emirati from Abu Dhabi. Lindsey Brooks, a British expat here, has chosen not to go to the UK this year, but holiday with her husband and two children in Sri Lanka. "We''ve always heard and seen pictures of the beautiful place. So on Thursday, we''ll fly out there for a two-week holiday," she said. "Later in August we are also planning to do some local travelling, maybe to Sir Bani Yas and Oman," added Brooks.
Silvia Radan I''m a senior journalist with 22 years experience in all forms of mass media. Originally from Romania, I lived and work in Bosnia, Uzbekistan, England and, for the past 10 years, in UAE. I specialize in art, culture, traditions, heritage, but also environment and the hospitality industry. I''m passionate about jazz and world music, cinema, mythology and offroading - I''m a marshal with one of UAE''s offroading clubs!