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Advanced facial recognition and smart gates will streamline checks at Terminal 3
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New biometric facial recognition and new-generation smart gates will streamline check-in and immigration clearance at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, authorities said yesterday.
New-generation smart gates will be installed in coming months. They will automatically identify travellers, nixing the need to have passports and boarding passes cleared by an immigration officer, said authorities.
Major-General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director-General of the Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDFRA), said in an Emirates’ statement that the streamlining efforts will reduce delays and free up officers for other work.
“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,” Al Merri said.
“We are pleased to roll out these new initiatives at Terminal
Biometric technology:
Using a facial recognition solution integrated with the UAE Wallet, travellers can register and store their biometric data through multiple means, including taking a selfie and using biometric registration kiosks in check-in areas and Emirates lounges. They can utilise this data to pass through immigration at Terminal 3 departures, and later, other touch-points throughout DXB airport, including automated access to Emirates’ First and Business Class lounges.
Smart immigration gates will be installed at Terminal 3 departures, supplementing existing e-gates and manned immigration counters. These smart gates offer an automated border control system that utilises travellers’ biometrics. It will also enable travellers to forgo the additional step of getting their passports and boarding passes manually checked by a security officer before they go through immigration, as these checks will be automatically integrated within the biometric validation as travellers pass through the smart gates.
One Gate:
3 Departures in collaboration with Emirates and our airport stakeholders. 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 streamlining efforts will help smoothen operations on busy holiday times such as this Eid Al Fitr when Emirates estimated more than 106,000 travellers would pass through Terminal 3 during the last weekend and Eid period, according to the airline’s latest forecast figures.
Last Friday was expected to be the heaviest day in terms of travellers, said Emirates, with more than 37,000 Emirates passengers departing through Terminal 3.
The new programmes will be rolled out under the “Together” initiative in two phases, the culmination of joint planning by Dubai International Airport, Emirates airline, Dubai Customs, GDRFA, and Dubai Police.
The collective effort focused on enhancing traveller experience through innovative and practical solutions that will be based on the “6s — smart, speed, saving, service, safety and security”.
Adel Al Redha, Emirates executive vice-president and chief operations officer, said in a statement: “We are fortunate to have a very supportive and progressive airport stakeholder group. Even if it means investing in equipment, training and changing operational processes, all partners are keen to embrace new technologies and thinking if it benefits the end users. We are all on the same page when it comes to wanting to deliver the best experience for visitors coming to and through Dubai.”