Emirates Enhances DXB Experience with Innovative Facial Recognition Technology
Emirates has invested AED 85 million to deploy more than 200 biometric-enabled cameras across Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB), allowing customers to move seamlessly through check-in, immigration, boarding gates, lounges and onto aircraft using facial recognition. Registration is quick and easy via the Emirates app.
The initiative, developed in collaboration with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigner Affairs Dubai (GDRFAD), eliminates the need to present passports or boarding passes at multiple airport touchpoints, significantly reducing processing times. Cameras can recognise registered passengers from a metre away, enabling a swift, contactless journey through the airport.
Emirates Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer, Adel al Redha, said: “With our latest Biometrics Path, Emirates continues to enhance the customer travel experience, offering speed, efficiency and accuracy at Terminal 3. Since 2017, we have partnered with GDRFA Dubai to implement the latest technologies, ensuring our customers enjoy a world-class, seamless journey.”
H.E. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, added: “Innovation is at the heart of our services. Our partnership with Emirates ensures travel through Dubai is faster, safer and more intuitive, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to efficiency, hospitality and digital governance.”
How the Emirates Biometrics Experience Works
- Register – Customers can register via the Emirates app or at check-in desks. Registration requires Emirates Skywards membership, passport verification and consent for Emirates to use GDRFAD biometric data.
- Biometric Check-In – Registered passengers can use facial recognition at kiosks for swift check-in and will soon be able to use it for connecting flights.
- Smart Gates – Passengers can pass through immigration using GDRFAD-managed Smart Gates without showing documents. Eligible users include UAE citizens, residents, GCC nationals, and visa-on-arrival visitors with biometric passports.
- Lounge Access – Registered customers can enter Emirates lounges via facial recognition at Concourse B, enjoying premium amenities without presenting a pass.
- Biometric Boarding – Facial recognition at select departure gates allows registered customers to board without showing boarding passes, with more gates to be added soon.
Passengers who have previously visited Dubai or hold a GDRFAD biometric profile can register once and enjoy faster processing on all future Emirates flights. Temporary biometric profiles are also created for first-time visitors, which are converted to GDRFAD profiles upon arrival in Dubai.
Emirates encourages customers to download the Emirates app for registration and to experience the benefits of this seamless, high-tech journey through DXB.
