Who are Salem and Salama, who welcome children at Dubai Airport? Know more

Dubai: The Dubai International Airport (DXB) has unveiled special passport counters, offering an amazing travel experience to child travellers. Following its huge success, the Dubai General Directorate of Identity and Foreign Affairs have now launched call centres that are exclusively dedicated to services regarding children’s passports.

These child-friendly counters and call centres have been introduced to offer an incredible travelling experience to young travellers and also to assist them. Children can reach the Amer call centre via the toll-free number 8005111 (inside UAE) or +97143139999 (outside Dubai). The caller should press 3 to get information in English and 4 for Arabic.

The authorities said that they have been receiving hundreds of calls from young passengers between 7 and 12 years old. Meanwhile, parents have been instructed not to use this line. They can instead call 8005111 to clear their doubts. Specially trained officers have been appointed at the call centre to answer children’s queries.

The project launched at Terminal 3 on April 19, 2023, was widely received by passengers. Following its grand success, counters were opened in the arrival halls in terminals one and two. Millions of children have travelled comfortably through these counters until now. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director general of GDRFA Dubai, had launched the world’s first immigration counters that are exclusively dedicated to children.

These passport counters for children between 4 and 12 years are adorned with unique themes and designs to attract their attention. Meanwhile, these counters have been opened to ensure a safe and enjoyable travel experience for children who represent the future generation of travellers. The counters have numerous interesting facilities that provide an entertaining experience, eliminating the boredom of the lengthy immigration process.

These are some of the interesting facts about the child-friendly passport counters
1) Children can stamp their own passports. It offers an enjoyable travel experience while building confidence in them.
2) Salem and Salama, wearing the uniforms of immigration officers, are the official mascots of this program. They will be waiting in front of the counters on special occasions to welcome the children.
3) Attractive floor stickers make the counters an interesting stop for children.

4) Parents can also stamp their passports at these counters
5) The space-themed decorations at the counters are eye-catching. Special gateways and corridors adorned with floor tiles welcome children to the counters.
6) Specially trained officers will patiently listen to the children and answer their queries. They would also teach them about immigration procedures and passport rules through funny stories. This unique initiative at the Dubai International Airport has become a fabulous model that educates children about airport rules and passport guidelines in a light-hearted and entertaining way.