Abu Dhabi Airports has announced the launch of its Biometric Smart Travel project, a groundbreaking initiative designed to streamline and enhance the passenger experience. The project, unveiled on Sunday, features automated traveler registration, self-service baggage delivery, and facial recognition verification at e-gates and boarding gates, eliminating the need for travel documents or direct interaction with airport staff.
This innovative project, according to a Khaleej Times report, will be implemented in three phases to integrate biometric authentication systems across all security and operational touchpoints at the airport. The systems utilize the databases of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security to automatically authenticate travelers, removing the need for prior registration for departing passengers.
The project initially debuted with Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Airways incorporating biometric systems at multiple touchpoints as part of the new terminal launch at Zayed International Airport in November 2023. The features include automated traveler registration, self-service baggage delivery, and facial recognition at e-gates and boarding gates.
Currently, Abu Dhabi Airports is advancing to the next phase by introducing biometric systems for five additional airlines at check-in and all boarding gates, alongside installing new e-gates in designated transit areas. The expansion will extend to the Etihad Airways lounge and duty-free retail outlets, enhancing the biometric registration and facial recognition processes.
“By 2025, we aim to expand these systems across all security and operations touchpoints and other airlines,” stated Andrew Murphy, Chief Information Officer at Zayed International Airport.
Saeed Saif Al Khaili, General Director at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, emphasized the project’s benefits: “The Biometric Smart Travel project aims to enhance the travel experience at Zayed International Airport, ensuring high levels of security and safety. The project reduces the time to serve travelers from 25 seconds to just seven seconds, integrating ticket and travel document verification into a single process and alleviating the burden on human resources by relying on smart gates for identity verification.”