Dubai Airports Trial Seamless Check-In and Immigration Integration

4 weeks ago Editor

Dubai Airports trials integrated check-in and immigration to streamline departures, marking a new era in passenger convenience and aviation growth.

Dubai Airports, in collaboration with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA), is testing a pioneering system to merge check-in with immigration processes, aiming for a seamless departure experience for travelers. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths announced that the integration would connect airlines, including Emirates and flydubai, directly with immigration, ensuring that check-in data facilitates smooth, automatic departures without a separate immigration step.

Griffiths explained that the data captured at check-in will automatically transfer to immigration records, allowing for faster departures by removing a step in the current process. Operational trials are underway, with wider implementation pending trial results. “We’ll move quickly once we’re ready,” Griffiths assured.

With a vision for smoother security experiences, Griffiths stated that Dubai Airports aims to improve flow through technology like off-site validation and facial recognition. “Our goal is for passengers to breeze through departures, eliminating queues, paperwork, and baggage tags,” he shared, emphasizing the need for a less intrusive security experience.

Dubai Airports is also preparing for growing passenger volumes, revising the forecast to 93 million travelers by 2024. A new terminal is planned at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) with a Dh128 billion investment. While the design is still being finalized, the expansion is expected to contribute Dh6.1 billion to the GDP by 2030, creating around 132,000 jobs.

The aviation sector’s growth is anticipated to add 185,000 jobs over five years, driven by direct and indirect roles across customer service, engineering, and hospitality. Griffiths emphasized that while technological advances continue to enhance efficiency, maintaining high levels of customer service remains a top priority.

Dubai’s aviation contribution is projected to reach Dh89 billion by 2027, with passenger throughput close to 100 million. As the sector grows, it’s set to elevate Dubai’s tourism and hospitality industries, bringing additional employment in hospitality, logistics, and customer service.