Emirates launches ‘biometric path’ for contactless experience at Dubai airport

Emirates has launched what it calls an “integrated biometric path” at Dubai International airport (DXB) to facilitate a contactless passenger experience.

The biometric technology includes a mix of facial and iris recognition to allow Emirates passengers to check in for their flight, complete immigration formalities, enter the Emirates Lounge, and board their flights, without the intervention of airport staff, while reducing document checks and the possibility of passengers queuing up along the way.

The biometric touchpoints are currently installed at select First, Business and Economy Class check-in desks in Terminal 3 at DXB; immigration gates including a “smart tunnel”; Emirates’ premium lounge entrance at concourse B as well select boarding gates.

Emirates launches integrated biometric path at @DXB for added convenience. The contactless airport experience reduces human interaction, putting emphasis on health and safety. https://t.co/zNc8E1JPtV #FlyEmiratesFlyBetter pic.twitter.com/P8GKaVZDN6

— Emirates Airline (@emirates) October 23, 2020

Areas where biometric equipment are installed are clearly marked, and the airline said that additional units will be subsequently installed at each touchpoint.

The airline added that the Smart Tunnel project by the General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) in collaboration with the carrier, is the first of its kind passport control mechanism in the world wherein passengers can walk through a tunnel and are “cleared” by immigration authorities without human intervention or a physical passport stamp.

It is the first airline outside of America to receive approval for biometric boarding from the US Customs Border Protection. Customers flying from Dubai to an Emirates’ destinations in the US can avail of facial recognition technology at the departure gates.

“We have always focused on providing a great customer experience at any touchpoint and now it is more vital than before to make use of technology and implement products, and introduce processes that focuses not only on fast tracking customers, but more importantly on health and safety during their travel journey,” said Adel Al Redha, COO at Emirates.

Last month, the airline said that it had installed 16 new self-service bag drop machines and eight self-service kiosks supports Emirates check-in agents at Terminal 3.

Read: Emirates introduces self check-in, bag drop off service at Dubai airport

The Dubai-based carrier will have resumed flights to 99 destinations globally, having recently announced that it would fly its A380 on 10 weekly flights to Amman in Jordan starting November 4.

Read: Dubai’s Emirates to operate A380 to Amman from November 4