Abu Dhabi will soon create history and become the first international airport with biometric capabilities at all customer touch points. How cool is that! Read on to know all the details:
Abu Dhabi Airport Starts Biometric Service
Phase 1 of a next-gen biometric initiative at Abu Dhabi airport has been rolled out enabling passengers travelling through the airport to use their faces to get a boarding pass amidst other services. This will be done via hi-tech biometric cameras to verify passenger details.
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The service can first be availed at self-service baggage touchpoints, immigration e-gates, and boarding gates. In a later phase, it will be rolled out to all passenger touchpoints in the airport.
The new service is expected to:
- Offer passengers a convenient, simplified, contactless & hygienic experience from ‘curb-to-gate’
- Lower wait times
- Reduced queuing for passengers
- Contribute to Abu Dhabi Airport’s vision to become the operator of the most technology-driven airport in the world
The technology has come together through Abu Dhabi-based tech company NEXT50’s AI solutions alongside global artificial intelligence and technology solutions partners IDEMIA and SITA.
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Abu Dhabi Airport – Straight From The Future
NEXT50 CEO Ibrahim Al Mannaee underlined that the biometrics project comes as part of the Emirate’s digital transformation vision. “Once the project is fully realised, the airport will be the only airport in the region with biometric solutions implemented across all customer touchpoints, contributing to Abu Dhabi Airport’s vision to become the operator of the most technology-driven airport in the world, providing a seamless journey to all its passengers. We are proud to be joining forces with IDEMIA and SITA and offering our expertise in artificial intelligence and data sciences to make this initiative a reality.”
Eng Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, MD and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “The phase one deployment of advanced biometrics at Abu Dhabi International Airport further cements our commitment to shape the future of airport experiences by delivering innovation and technology that drives efficiency, convenience and service excellence. Upon final completion of the project, Abu Dhabi will be home to the world’s first airport to include every touch point in the biometric journey, providing travellers with a seamless, safe and secure passenger experience.”
Hani El Assaad, president Middle East and Africa, SITA, said: “The airport of the future will be driven by technology that enables safe, seamless, and easy travel every step of the way. This latest deployment showcases the power of Smart Path to deliver a fluid journey where a passenger’s face becomes their boarding pass, from check in to boarding.”
Osama Al Makharmeh, executive director, IDEMIA, UAE commented on the biometrics project. “This partnership harnesses contactless biometric technology that gives users an unrivalled airport experience without letting up one jot on security. This bears out our capacity to constantly innovate to safeguard passenger trust and help pave the way for even smoother and more secure future travel.”
