flydubai Launches New Travel Shop in Sharjah with Innovative City Check-in Service to Enhance Passenger Convenience

Published on June 4, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

Dubai-based airline flydubai has taken a major step toward enhancing passenger convenience with the opening of its new Travel Shop in Sharjah, featuring the introduction of its first-ever City Check-in service.

The Travel Shop, located centrally within the Emirate of Sharjah, allows passengers to complete check-in procedures well in advance of their arrival at Dubai International Airport Terminal 2 (DXB), significantly streamlining the travel experience for customers in the Northern Emirates.

This initiative is the result of a strategic partnership with the Sharjah National Travel and Tourist Agency (SNTTA), reflecting flydubai’s commitment to broadening its footprint and improving customer service accessibility beyond Dubai itself.

The Travel Shop not only provides traditional booking and travel assistance services but also empowers passengers to check in their baggage, receive boarding passes, and select seats up to 24 hours before their flight departure.

Elevating Passenger Experience with City Check-in

Sudhir Sreedharan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for the UAE, GCC, Africa, South Asia, and South-East Asia at flydubai, emphasized the significance of the new service:
“We are committed to finding the right travel partners to bring our reliable travel experience to our customers wherever they are. The new flydubai Travel Shop in Sharjah underscores our continued commitment to innovation and delivering value-driven convenience to our customers. By offering this added flexibility with the new City Check-in service, we aim to improve the overall travel experience and support our customers’ needs in a more personalised and accessible way.”

The City Check-in service enables passengers to drop their luggage up to 24 hours before departure and no later than six hours before the flight, thereby reducing wait times and easing congestion at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 2. This early baggage drop means travelers can arrive at the airport at their leisure, making the journey less stressful and more manageable, especially during peak travel seasons.

Comprehensive Services at the Sharjah Travel Shop

Beyond the innovative City Check-in, the flydubai Travel Shop in Sharjah offers a wide range of customer-centric services designed to enhance convenience and comfort. These include:

• Flight bookings and travel itinerary modifications
• Assistance with flydubai Holidays packages, integrating flights with accommodation and tours
• A comfortable waiting area with designated service desks
• Porter services to assist passengers with baggage handling

This physical presence in Sharjah strategically serves residents and travelers in the Northern Emirates who previously had to travel to Dubai for check-in and related services. The Travel Shop helps decentralize customer service delivery, contributing to a more distributed and efficient travel network in the UAE.

Strategic Importance for UAE Aviation and Tourism

The launch aligns with the UAE’s broader goals to promote tourism and improve airport experiences as outlined by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the UAE Ministry of Economy. The Ministry’s tourism and transport strategies prioritize passenger-centric innovations that contribute to the UAE’s reputation as a leading global travel hub.

According to the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), enhancing ground services and streamlining airport processes are key to supporting increased passenger volumes as the UAE’s aviation sector continues its rapid growth. The introduction of City Check-in services is a practical response to these strategic priorities, helping mitigate airport congestion and enhance operational efficiency.

Supporting UAE’s Vision for Smart and Seamless Travel

The new flydubai Travel Shop and City Check-in service dovetail with the UAE’s national initiatives such as the UAE Vision 2021 and the Smart Dubai Strategy, which aim to leverage technology and innovation to improve public services and quality of life.

City Check-in represents a shift towards distributed passenger processing, reducing bottlenecks at major airports and spreading service access across urban centers. It is anticipated that such initiatives will be increasingly important as travel demand rebounds and evolves in the post-pandemic era.

A Growing Network of Convenience for flydubai Customers

flydubai’s expansion of physical service points complements its extensive route network, which connects Dubai to over 100 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. With its low-cost carrier model, flydubai continually seeks to make travel more accessible and convenient, aligning with the UAE’s strategy to grow inbound tourism and facilitate business travel.

By introducing the City Check-in service in Sharjah, flydubai enhances convenience for a significant segment of the UAE population. Residents in Sharjah and neighboring Emirates now benefit from the ability to complete important pre-flight formalities without the need to travel to Dubai, saving time and reducing travel-related stress.

Passenger Feedback and Future Prospects

Early customer response to the Travel Shop and City Check-in has been positive, with many passengers appreciating the flexibility to handle their check-in and baggage drop well in advance. This service is expected to be particularly popular among frequent flyers, business travelers, and families who value reduced wait times and a smoother travel experience.

flydubai has indicated plans to explore similar service expansions in other Emirates and cities, reinforcing its commitment to customer-centric innovation and regional accessibility.

Conclusion

flydubai’s opening of a new Travel Shop in Sharjah, coupled with the introduction of its first-ever City Check-in service, marks a significant advancement in the UAE’s aviation landscape. This initiative offers passengers greater flexibility, reduces congestion at Dubai International Airport, and enhances the overall travel experience.

As flydubai continues to expand its services and leverage technology, it plays a pivotal role in supporting the UAE’s ambitions to be a global leader in smart, sustainable, and passenger-friendly air travel.