With Abu Dhabi International Airport’s new innovative travel project, passengers will move seamlessly from check-in to boarding by as early as 2025 without presenting their identity documents or boarding passes.
Under this initiative, travelers can use advanced facial recognition and eye-scanning sensors. At the same time, such new technology is expected to reduce the verification process from 25 minutes at traditional kiosks to approximately seven seconds, VisaGuide.World reports.
It’s designed with no pre-enrollment required. Passengers are automatically recognized and authenticated as they move through the airport, significantly speeding up the entire process.
Abu Dhabi’s New Biometric System to Cut Travel Time to 15 Minutes
As Travel Tomorrow explains, according to a July announcement from the local government, the project will use the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Nationality, Customs and Port Security databases to “authenticate travelers automatically”.
In this regard, Murphy emphasized that the system enables passengers to go from boarding to the runway in less than 15 minutes. Abu Dhabi’s Dhabi approach is notable globally due to its integration of national security data into airport operations.
Singapore’s Changi Airport is also trialing a similar system. However, it requires a signature at various checkpoints and still mandates passport checks for international travel. The system, set to begin trials in August 2024, is only available to Singapore residents and qualified foreign travelers.
Milano, Delhi & Hong Kong Airports Deploy Biometrics
Other airports are also exploring biometric technology. Milano Linate and Catania have implemented “Faceboarding” systems that require the presentation of documents alongside facial scans, Travel Tomorrow notes.
Similarly, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International, Hong Kong International and Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita airports are deploying biometrics for some transit processes, with Lithuania, Portugal and Frankfurt also participating.
Abu Dhabi’s Smart Travel project aims to eliminate the need for passports, IDs and tickets by 2025, with Etihad Airways already using the new system. European airports are also advancing their biometric capabilities, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) partnering with British Airways on digital wallet trials. Digital wallets were used for passports, visas, and e-tickets for a test flight from Heathrow to Rome.
