The Dubai International Airport (DXB) is working on a project to introduce a single biometric system for a smooth and easy pre-journey process. The biometric system will be capable of completing the whole process starting from check-in to immigration and finally boarding to the aircraft.

This system will initiate a fast and hassle-free process which will cut down on the processing time and clear the passenger crowd within the minimum time.

The officials of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) announced during a press conference scheduled on Tuesday, September 12 that Dubai International Airport is all set for the deployment of a fully biometric technical structure inside.

The deployment of a biometric system will fasten the passenger movement and replace the old traditional immigration counters with smart services.

Deputy Director General of the GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs), Major General Obaid bin Surour said that this project has been under process for the last two years. Successful implementation of biometric systems in the airport can remove the complexities of many processes, allowing all passengers to use single biometric scanners during the pre-journey procedures.

Major General Obaid bin Suroor, deputy director-general of GDRFA said during the press conference, “We have been working on this one biometric project for two years. The idea behind this is to make passenger journeys faster, easier, and seamless using one biometric. For example, passengers coming for check-in will use the same biometrics in immigration, lounge, and boarding the aircraft. We call it a smart journey. In the future, we may not see classic counters what we see now.”

Assistant Director-General of the Airport Passport Sector at GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) Major General Talal Al Shangeti, unveiled that 36 percent of 42 million travellers, including use airport, passing through transit, and immigration have gained advantages from the installed smart gates during the first of this year.

He also said facial and eye biometrics are the future to adapt these advanced features for the four major steps including check-in, immigration, security and finally boarding.

The major aim of GDRFA is to increase the number of travellers and achieve 80 percent of the set target by the next few years.

“Our target is to achieve 80 percent of people using smart gates and other technologies. We hope to achieve this target in a couple of years. We believe Dubai Airport will completely deploy biometric technology,” said Assistant Director-General of the Airport Passport Sector at GDRFA, Major General Talal Al Shangeti.

The single biometric will also trigger more passengers and put an end to the immigration counters, offering a more smooth and effective experience.

At present time, Dubai International Airport has 120 fully operational smart gates, and the goal is to increase the gate number to 150 by the end of this year, or the first half of next year.