UAE: Your face is now your passport at Dubai airport

UAE: Your face is now your passport at Dubai airport

After a successful completion of the trial phase, Dubai airport has now officially rolled out the ‘smart travel' system that enables passengers to travel without using their identification papers.

The integrated biometric contactless pathway at Dubai International Airport (DXB), which was first revealed at GITEX in 2019, was formally unveiled by top authorities at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) on Monday, February 22.

Media persons were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the new contactless smart travel system that delivers a huge emphasis on safety in a post-pandemic world, as it cuts contact with staff at every point of interaction — from check-in counters to boarding the flight.

‘No immigration terminals in future'

Utilising the latest biometric technology — a mix of facial and iris recognition — passengers can now check in for their flight, complete immigration formalities, enter the lounge facilities, and board their flights by simply strolling through the airport.

Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the media unveiling, Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA, Dubai, said, “In the future, we expect immigration terminals will not exist. People will be able to