Emirates Expands Biometric Checkpoints Across Dubai International Airport

Emirates has invested AED 85 million in installing over 200 biometric cameras at Dubai International Airport's Terminal 3 (DXB). The system, developed in partnership with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai (GDRFAD), lets passengers pass through check-in, passport control, boarding, and lounge access using facial recognition instead of physical documents. The goal is to improve accuracy and reduce processing time for departing and arriving passengers.

Passengers aged 18 or over can register for the biometric system via the Emirates app, self-service kiosks, or check-in desks. The process requires an Emirates Skywards membership and linking the traveller's passport details to their profile. Once registered, customers can use facial recognition to access Smart Gates, self-check-in areas, lounges, and selected boarding gates without showing their passports or boarding passes.

According to Emirates Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer Adel Al Redha, the investment builds on years of collaboration with GDRFAD to bring new levels of efficiency and security to Dubai International Airport. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri of GDRFAD added that biometric technology is becoming central to Dubai’s goal of offering a fast, safe, and user-friendly airport experience, reflecting the city’s reputation for digital innovation.

The system is designed to make airport transfers at DXB faster and more straightforward for both residents and international visitors. Business travelers can move more efficiently between flights. At the same time, tourists will have extra time to explore attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Creek, and the Al Fahidi Historic District, rather than waiting in queues. The integration also supports Dubai’s ambition to maintain its status as one of the world’s leading transit hubs.

This investment signals Emirates’ broader commitment to passenger comfort and digital progress. By reducing paperwork and queues, the airline is transforming the international travel experience through Dubai. The new biometric path transforms routine airport procedures into a faster, more straightforward process that aligns with modern expectations of convenience and reliability.