Abu Dhabi Airports recently introduced the Biometric Smart Travel project to automate traveller registration, self-service baggage delivery, and facial recognition verification at e-gates and boarding gates, eliminating the need for travel documents or direct interaction with airport staff for passengers. The project will be implemented in three phases to integrate biometric authentication systems across all security and operation touchpoints at the airport. By utilizing databases from various governmental authorities, the project aims to automatically authenticate travellers using biometric technology without the need for prior registration.
The initial phase of the project was launched at the new terminal of Zayed International Airport in November 2023, where Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Airways successfully implemented biometric systems across multiple touchpoints. This included automated traveller registration, self-service baggage delivery, and facial recognition at e-gates and boarding gates, enhancing the overall passenger experience. The biometric systems were introduced for five additional airlines at check-in, all boarding gates, and designated transit areas to register travellers’ biometric data and facilitate facial recognition. Future expansions of the project will include integrating biometric systems at the Etihad Airways lounge and duty-free retail outlets.
Andrew Murphy, the chief information officer at Zayed International Airport, expressed plans to expand the biometric systems across all security and operations touchpoints and other airlines by 2025. The overarching goal of the Biometric Smart Travel project is to enhance the travel experience at the airport, ensuring high levels of security and safety while reducing wait times for travellers. Saeed Saif Al Khaili, the general director at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, highlighted the project’s ability to decrease the time to serve travellers significantly, integrating ticket and travel document verification into a single, streamlined process, and alleviating the burden on human resources by relying on smart gates for identity verification.
The implementation of the Biometric Smart Travel project is expected to enhance airline performance by eliminating the need for expensive infrastructure expansions and effectively detecting fraud and forgery in identification documents. The project’s focus on utilizing biometric technology for seamless traveller authentication and security measures aligns with the airport’s commitment to improving the overall travel experience while maintaining high levels of safety. Through the integration of biometric systems at various touchpoints within the airport, passengers can expect a smoother and more efficient journey from check-in to boarding, without the hassle of traditional travel documentation. As the project progresses through its planned phases, travellers can look forward to a more streamlined and secure travel experience at Zayed International Airport.
