Abu Dhabi to roll out 'smart travel' at Zayed Airport without need for travel documents

The new project will simplify travel procedure using data from ICP to automatically authenticate travellers with the help of biometric technology

Passenger traffic at Zayed International Airport surged by 36 per cent annually in the first quarter of 2024 to more than 6.8 million passengers. Hayley Skirka / The National

Abu Dhabi Airports is launching the “biometric smart travel” project to automate passenger registration at Zayed International Airport that will eliminate the need for travel documents and significantly cut processing time.

Abu Dhabi Airports is partnering with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security to roll out the new system that will enhance the passenger travel experience, Abu Dhabi Media office said in a post on X on Sunday.

Data from the ICP will be used to automatically authenticate travellers with the help of biometric technology, eliminating the need for prior registration for departing passengers.

"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,” Saeed Al Khaili, director general at the ICP, said.

The project will be rolled out in three phases in collaboration with Next 50, which specialises in AI-based transportation solutions.

The aim for Abu Dhabi Airports is to "uphold aviation security and safety protocols" within the airport, as well as streamline the travel process for passengers, Abu Dhabi Media office added.

Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Airways implemented the biometric systems across multiple touchpoints at the airport as part of the launch of the new terminal at Zayed International Airport in November.

This includes automated traveller registration service, self-service baggage delivery, and facial recognition verification at e-gates and boarding gates, without the need for travel documents or direct interaction with airport staff.

Onboard Etihad Airways' first flight from Abu Dhabi to Boston

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Abu Dhabi Airports implemented a further phase of this project by introducing biometric systems for five additional airlines at check-in, all boarding gates and the installation of new e-gates in designated transit areas to register travellers' biometric data and facilitate facial recognition.

“By 2025, we aim to expand these systems across all security and operations touchpoints and other airlines,” Andrew Murphy, chief information officer at Zayed International Airport, said.

The latest announcement comes as passenger traffic at Zayed International Airport surged 36 per cent annually in the first quarter of 2024 to more than 6.8 million passengers.

Passenger traffic across Abu Dhabi's five airports collectively rose 35.6 per cent year-on-year to more than 6.9 million in the January-March period.

Abu Dhabi Airports manages the emirate's Zayed International, Al Ain International, Al Bateen Executive, Delma Island and Sir Bani Yas Island airports.