Emirates said on 20 November 2018 that it was preparing to roll out what it described as the world’s first integrated biometric path at its hub in Dubai International Airport, with trials planned across key passenger touchpoints.
The airline said the system would combine facial and iris recognition so customers could check in, clear immigration, enter the Emirates Lounge and board flights with fewer document checks and less queuing. The equipment had already been installed at Emirates Terminal 3, including select check-in counters, the Emirates Lounge in Concourse B for premium passengers, and select boarding gates.
According to the airline, areas fitted with the biometric equipment would be clearly marked. The first related trial, the Smart Tunnel project run by the General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) with Emirates, had launched on 10 October and was described as a passport-control system that allows passengers to pass through a tunnel and be cleared without human intervention or a physical passport stamp.
Emirates said that after internal testing it would begin live trials at other passenger points, including check-in, lounge access and boarding gates, before extending the system to transit counters, gates and chauffeur drive services. The airline added that biometric data would be stored by GDRFA and that customers invited into the trials would have to give consent.
Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, said the airline had completed extensive research and was ready to begin live trials at Terminal 3. He said the project was being developed with key stakeholders, especially GDRFA, and linked the initiative to Emirates’ “Fly Better” promise.
“These ground breaking initiatives are a result of close collaboration with our stakeholders – particularly GDRFA who have been instrumental in the programme to bring the biometric path to fruition.”
Major General Mohammed Ahmed Almarri of GDRFA said the new systems were being rolled out at Terminal 3 with Emirates and airport stakeholders. He said the Smart Tunnel tests were running smoothly and that the other biometric systems were being prepared for deployment in T3.
“All these initiatives are in line with the government’s vision to be a world leader in innovation and public services. It will ultimately improve the traveller experience at the airport, and enhance the efficiency of our operations.”
Emirates said the biometric path was meant to improve passenger flow, reduce manual checks and help staff identify and assist late passengers before they missed flights. The airline said the system would cover departures, arrivals, transit, chauffeur drive connections and lounge access in Dubai.
At launch, the airline said the focus would be on First and Business class travellers, with plans to extend the service to Economy passengers in Dubai and, later, possibly to other airports outside Dubai and to its dedicated crew check-in facility.
