Emirates, UAE’s largest airline, is now offering international travelers the opportunity to speed up their airport experience by consenting to the use of biometric data, in collaboration with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA).
The agreement was signed by His Excellency Lieutenant General Mohamed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA in Dubai, and Mr. Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer, in the presence of several senior officials from both sides.
The first agreement of its kind globally, the strategic partnership between GDRFA and Emirates is a cooperative effort to further improve the innovative and digitally focused travel experience of Dubai visitors. The agreement improves passenger traffic procedures inside Dubai International Airport (DXB) Terminal 3 and ensures a faster and more efficient airport experience for travelers transferring to connecting flights, as well as those who arrive in Dubai as their final destination.
Mohamed Ahmed Al-Marri Director-General GDRFA
“Dubai is one of the world’s most aspirational destinations, and 2022 has already seen more than 8 million tourists arrive in the city. We continue to support our key partners with best-in-class services as we strive for excellence, and innovation in positioning Dubai as the world’s leading business hub and tourism destination.”
Mr. Al Redha said that “Emirates continually invests to improve customer experience and we thank the GDFRA for extending the bridges of cooperation, communication and coordination to add value to Emirates’ services and allow our international passengers to Fly Better.”
By using biometric recognition technologies and the GDRFA pre-populated biometric database to identify travelers at multiple points in the airport, travelers will be able to breeze through Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 Check-In, Lounges, Boarding and Immigration at high speed as the AI systems recognize their unique facial features and will link to their passport for instant identity verification.
A privilege previously only enjoyed by UAE residents and GCC nationals, international passengers will be able to avail of the service in 2023 by providing official consent in a couple of clicks through the Emirates app, at Emirates self-check-in kiosks, or in person at Emirates check-in desks.
