Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is a £2.3 billion advanced facility set to become the world’s first passport-free airport by 2025. The airport’s “Smart Travel Project” will integrate biometric sensors at all checkpoints, including check-in counters, immigration booths, duty-free tills, airline lounges, and boarding gates.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently commended the airport’s innovative approach, stating that the “US needs to catch up,” as reported by Daily Express.
Andrew Murphy, the chief information officer at Abu Dhabi Airport, explained that they are expanding to nine touchpoints, which would be a global first. The system is designed without requiring pre-enrollment, as passengers are automatically recognized and authenticated as they move through the airport, significantly expediting the entire process.
Murphy clarified that when anyone arrives in the UAE for the first time, whether residents or tourists, their biometric data is collected at immigration by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). He highlighted the unique aspect of their biometric solution, which partners with ICP to utilize this data, creating a seamless passenger experience accessible to everyone.
A survey by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed that 75% of passengers prefer using biometric data over paper passports and boarding passes. For those uncomfortable with the technology, traditional verification processes will remain available.
Louise Cole, head of customer experience and facilitation for IATA, noted that one reason the industry lags in implementing a fully contactless biometric experience is the difficulty in imagining any other consumer process where one must repeatedly stop and prove something.
Singapore’s Changi Airport is also adopting this technology, collaborating with the government’s immigration authority to develop a biometric clearance system for both residents and tourists. The system will be implemented gradually, starting this month.
Other airports, including Hong Kong International Airport, Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International, have also introduced biometric terminals at various transit points.
