Digital streamlining soars at UAE airports, establishing a world-class standard in digital efficacy
UAE Airports Pioneer Digital Transformation Through Innovation and Cybersecurity
Abu Dhabi: Selim Bouri, President for the Middle East and Africa at SITA, a global leader in air transport IT and communications, has commended the airports in the UAE, particularly those in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, for setting international benchmarks in innovation, efficiency, and passenger experience.
Bouri highlighted the country's commitment to digitalization, especially as it faces the challenge of managing growing passenger volumes. In conversations with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), he explained that SITA works closely with UAE airports to offer tailored technology solutions, such as the Smart Travel system at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. This fully-integrated platform for biometric identity processing reduces congestion and waiting times, enhancing airport capacity to accommodate the rising number of international flights.
Zayed International Airport, which experienced a surge in flight traffic in 2024, has relied on digital solutions to meet this increased demand. Since the opening of its new terminal in November 2023, the airport has processed over one million passengers using facial recognition, creating a unique digital identity for each traveler for a seamless journey from check-in to departure—including border control—in under 12 minutes.
The success of the Smart Travel system paves the way for its adoption at other airports across the UAE. Looking to the future, Bouri noted that the country's travel experience is becoming increasingly powered by smart solutions that provide efficiency and convenience. He revealed plans to expand biometric processing across airport checkpoints, delivering a fully contactless passenger experience.
Self-service technologies, including self-check-in kiosks, automated baggage drop services, and smart boarding gates, will be a core focus area in the coming years. These technologies aim to reduce congestion and streamline travel procedures, improving overall airport efficiency.
Cybersecurity is also a critical component of the UAE's airport digital strategies. Bouri emphasized that smart innovations would play a key role in enhancing efficiency, minimizing waiting times, increasing safety, and reinforcing the UAE's reputation as a leader in smart, integrated airport systems.
The next decade will see a significant increase in the deployment of next-generation communication technologies within airports, creating a highly integrated smart airport ecosystem and flight operation network. The benefits of 5G networks, including seamless device-to-device communication, improved ground connectivity, and support for upcoming 6G networks and advanced wireless internet services, will be particularly valuable.
Airports, airlines, and governments in the Middle East are investing heavily in the latest technologies to enhance passenger experience and streamline airport operations. These investments include the deployment of biometric processing systems and e-gates, supported by strategic initiatives and major investments. Additionally, artificial intelligence and big data will play crucial roles in improving flight management, reducing delays, fostering smart collaboration between people and technology, and enhancing security screening and threat detection capabilities.
- The UAE airports' commitment to innovation and cybersecurity, as seen in their implementation of the Smart Travel system, has set international benchmarks in efficiency and passenger experience, such as the reduction of congestion and waiting times.
- The success of the Smart Travel system at Zayed International Airport has paved the way for its adoption at other airports across the UAE, with plans to expand biometric processing across airport checkpoints, aiming to deliver a fully contactless passenger experience.
- In the coming years, self-service technologies, like self-check-in kiosks, automated baggage drop services, and smart boarding gates, will be a core focus area, with the aim of reducing congestion, streamlining travel procedures, and improving overall airport efficiency.
- Cybersecurity is a critical component of the UAE's airport digital strategies, as smart innovations are expected to play a key role in enhancing efficiency, minimizing waiting times, increasing safety, and reinforcing the UAE's reputation as a leader in smart, integrated airport systems, supported by the rollout of next-generation communication technologies like 5G networks.
