Dubai Customs has completed its preparations for the return of UAE nationals, Umrah performers and visitors arriving to Dubai International Airport in the last ten days of Ramadan to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
The Department undertook a series of measures to facilitate the entry of travelers to Dubai's three airport terminals; maintain collaboration with operating airlines to handle any obstacles or potential increase in passenger numbers; schedule or reduce annual leaves of airport customs inspectors as needed; conduct an inspector training session to ensure better reception and higher customer satisfaction; and provide more baggage screening devices.
Officials from Dubai Customs paid an inspection visit to Dubai International Airport and looked into the preparations made to ensure necessary assistance and help for travelers. They further urged on training the airport's customs personnel of both genders to boost their efficiencies and practical competence in terms of security, social interaction and language skills.
Mr. Ali Al Maqhawi, Director of Customs Airport Operations at Dubai Customs, said that the Department's preparations for the return of Umrah performers from Mecca to celebrate Eid al-Fitr include the installment of advanced baggage/handbag screening devices and systems to avoid wasting travelers' time and facilitate their entry to the UAE, especially for Umrah performers coming from Mecca.
He further added that customs officials in all three terminals meet with their employees on a daily basis to guarantee their compliance with the proper uniform and appearance which reflects the Department's public image; further stressing on civilized socialization with travelers and their readiness to handle peak seasons, especially during this time of the year. Team leaders and work-shift directors are well-aware of the vital role of airport customs inspectors in keeping the country and society clean of illegitimate or prohibited goods, as well as educating and urging new inspectors to continue their ongoing hard work, with the main focus on civilized communication with travelers by welcoming them with a genuine smile and offering them souvenirs.
"These measures are aimed to save travelers' time and facilitate their entry to the country," added Al Maqhawi. "We call upon every traveler from and into the country to visit our "Travelers Guide" online to be better acquainted with the airport customs measures, including the travel procedures, weight of luggage, list of permitted items, list of items to be declared upon arrival or departure, deposit refunds and others."
Al Maqhawi reaffirmed that Dubai Customs has set the schedule of employees' annual leaves and appointed an integrated team of professionals to supervise the preparations made for the return of Umrah performers and visitors during Eid al-Fitr. Emirates Airlines has also agreed to inform the Department beforehand on any possible increase in the number of passengers, through direct collaboration between the airline's official on-duty and airport customs inspectors in terminals 1, 2 and 3.
"Dubai embraces more than 230 nationalities, following different customs and traditions. This is why we need to be better familiarized with the different cultures of the world in order to deal with the diverse visitors to the country and avoid any misunderstanding like using certain gestures that may be offensive to other nationalities," concluded Al Maqhawi.
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© Press Release 2012
