Security at UAE airports is becoming increasingly automated as new border control security measures are introduced.
Emaratech, the suppliers of e-gate, which identifies travellers through fingerprint scanning at Dubai’s airports, will introduce iris-scanning smart gates in terminals one and two at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International by the end of this year.
Smart gates have already been installed in Dubai’s Terminal Three.
Smart gates will eventually replace e-gates at UAE airports.
“There is a roll-out plan and we are working closely with the Dubai Airports Authority and Department of Residency and Foreign Affairs,” said Wael Barghouti the marketing and communications manager at emaratech. “We are waiting for them to tell us when we can install because there are some expansion plans going on.”
According to Mr Barghouti, rollout plans are still in progress for deploying smart gates in many terminals and based on operational plans for airports. Currently, emaratech cannot comment on any specific timeframes in the case of the Abu Dhabi airport.
The smart gates can check three to four people in one minute without the need for passengers to stand and wait, whereas e-gates take up to 40 seconds to check in one person.
“There are many benefits of using iris on-the-move technology as there is a vast range of benefits for different industries, one of which is the quick entry and exit for a large number of passengers,” said Thani Al Zaffin, the director general of emaratech. “Technological innovation is key to meeting the rapid increase in passenger numbers across Middle East airports, ports and land borders.”
Dubai Airport received more than 60 million passengers from January to November last year, an increase of 15 per cent from the same period in 2012.
thamid@thenational.ae
