Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Airport to Implement Biometric Departure Screening

Abu Dhabi Airports has launched a biometric Smart Travel project at Zayed International Airport in partnership with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP). The project aims to streamline airport operations and improve passenger experience through advanced biometric authentication.

This initiative leverages ICP databases to authenticate travelers using facial recognition technology, eliminating the need for prior registration for departing passengers.

Since the opening of a new terminal at Zayed International Airport in November 2023, biometric systems have been implemented for automated traveler registration, self-service baggage delivery, and facial recognition at e-gates and boarding gates. The current phase includes expanding these systems to five more airlines and installing new e-gates in transit areas for efficient biometric data registration. Future expansions will encompass Etihad Airways lounges and duty-free retail outlets.

“We are delighted to collaborate with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security to implement this groundbreaking project at our state-of-the-art terminal at Zayed International Airport,” said Andrew Murphy, Chief Information Officer at Zayed International Airport. “We are dedicated to enhancing the traveller experience by providing efficient and seamless services through advanced biometric systems.”

The implementation of the biometric Smart Travel project is being carried out in collaboration with Next50, a company specializing in AI-driven transportation solutions, and the rollout will occur in three phases, integrating biometric systems at various security and operational checkpoints.

“The Biometric Smart Travel project aims to enhance the travel experience at Zayed International Airport from kerb to gate, ensuring high levels of security and safety,” Saeed Saif Al Khaili, General Director at the ICP said in a statement. “We are pleased to implement this project and collaborate with Abu Dhabi Airports, the leading airport operator in Abu Dhabi, and the emirate’s gateway to the world.”

“The Biometric Smart Travel project reduces the time to serve travellers 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,” he added.

Zayed International Airport is the latest in a rapidly growing list of transportation hubs around the world to turn to biometric technology to bolster security and speed up the passenger processing experience.

At the start of this month Curaçao International Airport launched the Curaçao Express Pass, a mobile and biometric technology-based passenger pre-processing system aimed at expediting arrivals. Officially launched on July 1, 2024, by Minister of Justice Shalten Hato, the system allows travelers to pre-verify their identity remotely by filling out a digital immigration card and creating a digital identity using the Airside Digital Identity App.

Source: Passenger Terminal Today, Gulf Today

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July 23, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis