Fa un po' "Minority Report", ma personalmente sono comunque a favore di questa innovazione.
Interessante anche la possibilità di accesso alle lounge EK tramite riconoscimento facciale, cosa che presuppone sia la conoscenza del tuo profilo Skywards (infatti avere un profilo Skywards è prerequisito per accedere al servizio), sia del titolo di viaggio.
www.arabianbusiness.com
Dubai has taken a major step toward a fully passport-free airport experience, with Emirates investing AED85m ($23.1m) to install more than 200 biometric cameras across Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
The technology — developed in partnership with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigner Affairs – Dubai (GDRFAD) — allows passengers to pass through Check-In, Immigration, Lounges, Boarding Gates, and aircraft boarding using only facial recognition.
By eliminating the need to show a passport or boarding pass at multiple airport touchpoints, the new system significantly cuts processing times.
Each biometric camera can recognise a passenger’s face from up to one metre away, allowing them to walk smoothly through areas that once required document checks.
Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer, said: “With our latest Biometrics Path development, Emirates has invested in further innovations to enhance the customer travel experience, providing remarkable speed, efficiency, and accuracy at Terminal 3 in Dubai International Airport.
“Since 2017, we have been working in collaboration with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai to upgrade our equipment and implement the latest technologies, ensuring that our customers enjoy a world-class, seamless journey.”
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, said: “At GDRFA Dubai, innovation has long been part of our DNA and a cornerstone of our services.
“Over the years, we have integrated artificial intelligence and biometric technologies to make travel through Dubai faster, safer, and more intuitive.
“Our partnership with Emirates continues this path of excellence, reflecting the spirit of collaboration that defines Dubai’s government and private sectors.
“Together, we are shaping a seamless travel experience that embodies the reputation of the United Arab Emirates in general, and Dubai in particular, for efficiency, hospitality, and digital governance.”
For those without a record, Emirates creates a temporary biometric profile to store consent. Once the traveller enters Dubai, this is automatically converted into a permanent GDRFAD profile for future journeys.
Emirates confirmed that all biometric data is processed under UAE government data-protection regulations, ensuring strict privacy and consent compliance.
With more than 200 cameras now operational, the system allows passengers to move from check-in to boarding in minutes, positioning Dubai International at the forefront of global aviation innovation.
Interessante anche la possibilità di accesso alle lounge EK tramite riconoscimento facciale, cosa che presuppone sia la conoscenza del tuo profilo Skywards (infatti avere un profilo Skywards è prerequisito per accedere al servizio), sia del titolo di viaggio.
Dubai goes ‘passport-free’: Emirates invests $23.1m in 200 biometric cameras
Dubai Airport passengers can now travel ‘passport-free’ as Emirates installs 200 biometric cameras in $23.1m DXB upgrade
www.arabianbusiness.com
Dubai goes ‘passport-free’: Emirates invests $23.1m in 200 biometric cameras
Dubai Airport passengers can now travel ‘passport-free’ as Emirates installs 200 biometric cameras in $23.1m DXB upgradeDubai has taken a major step toward a fully passport-free airport experience, with Emirates investing AED85m ($23.1m) to install more than 200 biometric cameras across Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
The technology — developed in partnership with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigner Affairs – Dubai (GDRFAD) — allows passengers to pass through Check-In, Immigration, Lounges, Boarding Gates, and aircraft boarding using only facial recognition.
By eliminating the need to show a passport or boarding pass at multiple airport touchpoints, the new system significantly cuts processing times.
Each biometric camera can recognise a passenger’s face from up to one metre away, allowing them to walk smoothly through areas that once required document checks.
Dubai passport-free vision
The initiative is part of a long-running collaboration between Emirates and GDRFAD Dubai to enhance traveller convenience and operational efficiency through advanced biometric technology.Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer, said: “With our latest Biometrics Path development, Emirates has invested in further innovations to enhance the customer travel experience, providing remarkable speed, efficiency, and accuracy at Terminal 3 in Dubai International Airport.
“Since 2017, we have been working in collaboration with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai to upgrade our equipment and implement the latest technologies, ensuring that our customers enjoy a world-class, seamless journey.”
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, said: “At GDRFA Dubai, innovation has long been part of our DNA and a cornerstone of our services.
“Over the years, we have integrated artificial intelligence and biometric technologies to make travel through Dubai faster, safer, and more intuitive.
“Our partnership with Emirates continues this path of excellence, reflecting the spirit of collaboration that defines Dubai’s government and private sectors.
“Together, we are shaping a seamless travel experience that embodies the reputation of the United Arab Emirates in general, and Dubai in particular, for efficiency, hospitality, and digital governance.”
How Dubai Airport biometric journey works
- Step 1 – Register: Passengers can enrol through the Emirates app, at Self-Service Kiosks, or at Check-In desks at Terminal 3. Registration is available to UAE residents, visitors, and transit passengers who are 18 years or older. They must be Emirates Skywards members and provide consent for Emirates to use their biometric data via the GDRFAD database
- Step 2 – Biometric check-in: Once registered, travellers can check in using facial recognition at kiosks. Emirates confirmed that biometric verification will soon extend to Connections for transit passengers transferring to another Emirates flight
- Step 3 – Smart Gates at Immigration: At Immigration, Emirates customers can use GDRFAD-managed Smart Gates by simply stepping in for a quick facial scan. The service is available to UAE citizens, residents, GCC nationals, and visa-on-arrival visitors with biometric passports
- Step 4 – Emirates Lounge access: Eligible passengers can enter the Concourse B Emirates Lounge through facial recognition at five dedicated entry points, without presenting a boarding pass
- Step 5 – Biometric boarding: Select departure gates across Concourses A, B and C now support biometric boarding. Passengers can board by facial recognition alone, with further gates to be added in coming months
Data protection
If a passenger already has a GDRFAD biometric record, Emirates will match their facial image to that profile once registration is complete.For those without a record, Emirates creates a temporary biometric profile to store consent. Once the traveller enters Dubai, this is automatically converted into a permanent GDRFAD profile for future journeys.
Emirates confirmed that all biometric data is processed under UAE government data-protection regulations, ensuring strict privacy and consent compliance.
Seamless future for Dubai travellers
The introduction of biometric processing at DXB Terminal 3 marks another milestone in Dubai’s smart travel strategy — aligning with the city’s wider ambition to become a global leader in seamless, AI-enabled travel experiences.With more than 200 cameras now operational, the system allows passengers to move from check-in to boarding in minutes, positioning Dubai International at the forefront of global aviation innovation.