Aviation360 MEA

Abu Dhabi Airports and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security have cooperated to launch the biometric Smart Travel project, which is based on biometric standards, at Zayed International Airport.

The initiative, which aims to integrate biometric authentication technologies across all security and operations touchpoints at the airport, will be implemented in three phases in partnership with Next 50, a company that specialises in AI-based transportation solutions. 

“By 2025, we aim to expand these systems across all security and operations touchpoints and other airlines. This partnership will enable Abu Dhabi Airports to continue providing best in class passenger services, prioritising travellers’ security and safety, and delivering an exceptional global travel experience across our airports,” Andrew Murphy, Chief Information Officer at Zayed International Airport, said.

The project uses biometric technology to automatically authenticate travellers by utilising databases of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security. This eliminates the need for departing passengers to register in advance. 

Enhancing Travel Experience

Abu Dhabi Airports hopes to enhance traveller experience, expedite the passenger travel process, and maintain the tighter aviation security and safety regulations within the airport by executing this project.

“The 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 Saif Al Khaili, General Director at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security said.

Biometric Technology

Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Airways have introduced biometric technology at several airport touchpoints in conjunction with the November 2023 opening of the new terminal at Zayed International Airport. 

This involves the use of facial recognition technology at e-gates and boarding gates, self-service baggage delivery, and automated traveller registration services—all without the need for travel documentation or direct contact with airport staff.

In order to register travellers’ biometric data and enable facial recognition, Abu Dhabi Airports has started implementing a second phase of this project, which involves installing biometric systems at check-in for five additional airlines, installing e-gates in designated transit areas, and installing all boarding gates. Duty-free shopping establishments and the Etihad Airways lounge are also part of the upcoming expansion. 

In addition to improving airline performance, the Biometric Smart Travel initiative has many benefits for Zayed International Airport; this will eliminate the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades and effectively detect fraud and forgeries in identity documents.