Passport control at Dubai Airports can now be completed in 9 seconds

Dubai Airports’ fast-track passport control service, that deploys face and iris-recognition technologies, has reduced the time to complete passport control formalities to between 5-9 seconds, a senior official has confirmed.

“Recently, we launched a new fast-track passport control service that uses face and iris-recognition technologies. The new biometric systems deployed at 122 smart gates at arrival and departure terminals in Dubai airports enable passengers to complete passport control procedures between 5 and 9 seconds depending on the movement and steps of the passenger,” said Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director general at General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA-D), in his welcome address at the Airport Security Forum at the Dubai Airport Show 2021.

The new service that uses AI technology was launched in February this year, to expedite immigration processes.

Read: Dubai airport launches facial recognition technology to fast-track immigration process

The aviation sector was battered by the Covid-19 pandemic, as social restrictions grounded commercial fleet and halted air traffic.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected aviation traffic globally. We are part of this world, but despite the complete halt of air traffic worldwide, the flights in the UAE were only for the evacuation and return of nationals of the UAE, Departure flights were conducted for citizens of other countries who were residents in the UAE who wish to leave to their homelands in coordination with the competent authorities,” Al Marri added.

“Since the start of the pandemic, GDRFA Dubai has been keen to secure all its air, sea and land ports to limit the spread of the virus, and has joined forces with the UAE’s efforts to take all precautionary measures,” he added.

Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management has set security and safety requirements that all airports in the UAE and its strategic partners adhere to. These include obtaining a negative (PCR) test result before arriving at Dubai Airport (72 hours) issued by an accredited laboratory, followed by another test upon arrival at the airport. Wearing masks throughout the stay at airports is also mandatory, a statement said.

In October, Dubai-based carrier Emirates 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.

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

Meanwhile, the UAE has launched an aggressive vaccination drive to inoculate its citizens and residents against the Covid-19 infection. Under the UAE government’s ongoing national vaccination campaign, all citizens and residents of the UAE above the age of 12 can avail of a free Covid-19 vaccine in Dubai.

Chinese nationals visiting the UAE on short-term visas can also receive a Covid-19 vaccine in Dubai, it was announced earlier this week.

Read: UAE: Chinese visitors can now receive Covid-19 vaccines in Dubai