Emirates to introduce facial recognition technology at Dubai airport

Emirates Airline has announced plans to introduce new automated border control gates utilising a biometric registration system to streamline travel through Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3.

The projects are the first signed off by a joint team of Emirates, Dubai Customs, Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), Dubai Police and Dubai Airports staff, which aims to enhance customer experience at the airport.

Under the plans, a new facial recognition system, integrated with GDRFA’s UAEWallet app, will enable travellers to register and store biometric data using their smartphone selfie camera or biometric registration kiosks at check-in areas.

This can then be used for immigrations departures at Terminal 3 and other points at Dubai International, including for automated access to Emirates first and business lounges.

Supporting the system, a new smart gate will enable smoother transition through immigration by allowing passengers to forego the step of having their passports and boarding passes manually scanned by a security officer before entering the area.

“In line with the government’s vision to be a world leader in providing public services, we have been evaluating the use of biometrics to enhance traveller flow through immigration,” said major general Mohammed Ahmed Almarri, GDRFA.

“We believe this will make our operations more efficient, free up our valuable manpower to focus on other responsibilities, and ultimately improve traveller experience.”

The two projects will be launched immediately, with completion expected within the next 12 -18 months. They add to the existing UAEWallet app functionality allowing registered users to travel through Dubai International’s e-gates by scanning their smartphone.

Emirates executive vice president and chief operations officer Adel Al Redha said more enhancements would also be introduced in the coming months under the joint team.

The airline is said to be working with augmented reality goggles and other technologies to enhance the passenger experience as geopolitical issues continue to impact its profitability.

Read: Dubai’s Emirates considers equipping staff with AR goggles to improve service