Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport To Be World's Full Document-Free Airport By 2025 (X image @AUH)
Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport is planning to be completely void of document free by 2025, under its new project named Smart Travel Project. It is an initiative by the airport to use biometrics to streamline the process of boarding.
In a statement released on its LinkedIn page, the airport said, “By 2025, Zayed International Airport aims to become the world’s first fully document-free airport, integrating cutting-edge biometric technology at every checkpoint”. The post further read that this “innovation will streamline the passenger experience, significantly reduce wait times, and enhance overall efficiency”.
The Biometrics is referred to the use of biological reference points that can be used to identify people, including fingerprints, facial points, and the iris.
Also Read: Official Pardon In UAE From September 1 – Details Explained
Reportedly, the method is used in some parts of the airport, especially on partner airline, Etihad’s flights. The sensors can verify a person’s identity and travel status by simply scanning the face or eyes.
As per an October 2023 survey by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 75 percentage of the passengers prefer using the biometric data instead of traditional passports and boarding passes. At the same time, 40% of travellers said they would be more open to biometric solutions if they were confident their personal information was secure. The figure was up from 33% in 2022.
Even though no airport is passport-free yet, Singapore’s Changi Airport has teamed up with its official immigration authority to develop a biometric clearance system for both residents and tourists, said the report.
Also Read: UAE Names Street In Abu Dhabi After Indian-Origin Doctor
Biometric terminals are already in place at Hong Kong International Airport, Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport.
The IATA teamed up with British Airways for a test of the first fully integrated digital identity international flight, with a test passenger flying from London’s Heathrow to Rome’s Fiumicino using only their digital identity, stored in a digital wallet, and verified by biometrics. The US also implemented biometrics at the arrival zones of all 96 international airports, with 53 locations also using biometrics for departures.
