Emirates Invests AED 85 Million in Biometric Cameras at DXB Terminal 3
Emirates invests AED 85 million in facial recognition across Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, streamlining check-in, boarding, and lounge access for faster, paper-free travel.
By SOH Edit Team
Emirates has invested AED 85 million to install over 200 biometric-enabled cameras across Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB). The system enables passengers to move through check-in, immigration, boarding gates, and lounges using only facial recognition, eliminating the need to present passports or boarding passes at multiple touchpoints.
Developed in collaboration with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigner Affairs – Dubai (GDRFAD), the initiative is designed to streamline processing times and enhance passenger flow. The advanced cameras can identify biometric profiles from up to one metre away, delivering greater speed and accuracy.
Passengers—both UAE residents and international visitors—can register for the biometric service through the Emirates app, at self-service kiosks, or at check-in desks. Registration is completed once with customer consent and is then valid for all future journeys to and from Dubai.
Once enrolled, travellers gain access to dedicated biometric pathways, improving efficiency across major touchpoints including check-in, lounge entry, boarding, and immigration via GDRFAD Smart Gates.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFAD-Dubai.
Leadership Statements
Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer at Emirates, said: “With our latest Biometrics Path development, Emirates has invested in further innovations to enhance the customer travel experience, providing remarkable speed, efficiency, and accuracy at Terminal 3 in Dubai International Airport. Since 2017, we have been working in collaboration with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai to upgrade our equipment and implement the latest technologies, ensuring that our customers enjoy a world-class, seamless journey.”
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFAD-Dubai, added: “At GDRFAD Dubai, innovation has long been part of our DNA and a cornerstone of our services. Over the years, we have integrated artificial intelligence and biometric technologies to make travel through Dubai faster, safer, and more intuitive. Our partnership with Emirates continues this path of excellence, reflecting the spirit of collaboration that defines the government and private sectors of Dubai. Together, we are shaping a seamless travel experience that embodies the reputation of the United Arab Emirates, and Dubai in particular, for efficiency, hospitality, and digital governance.”
Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer at Emirates.
Eligibility and Usage Across Journey
Customers aged 18 and above may register by linking their passport and Emirates Skywards profile through approved channels. Once enrolled, passengers can use biometric identification at:
- Check-in counters and kiosks
- Immigration via GDRFAD Smart Gates
- Lounge access points
- Boarding gates
The fully integrated biometric pathway significantly reduces waiting times and supports Dubai’s strategy to deliver a paper-free, digitally enabled travel experience.