Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi has confirmed the Smart Travel project for 2025, one of the most revolutionary initiatives to date. In Abu Dhabi, passengers will no longer need to carry documents to complete their procedures within the airport, as this new program will install biometric sensors at all identification checkpoints.
This new mechanism, which is already in operation with Etihad Airways, will begin functioning throughout the entire passenger journey, marking a before and after in the global aviation sector. «We are expanding to nine contact points, and this would be a world first,» authorities stated.
How Abu Dhabi Airports’ Revolutionary Mechanism Works
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) of the United Arab Emirates uses each passenger’s biometric data once they complete immigration procedures at the airport, with the database subsequently used at different points.
This mechanism allows travelers to complete their experience as quickly as possible, moving from the terminal to the boarding area in under 15 minutes, a feature that streamlines operations at an airport that accommodates up to 45 million passengers annually.
Traveling Without Documents: A Different Experience in Abu Dhabi
The possibility of traveling without physical documents is well received by most travelers, although a small portion still prefers to have them and maintain human interaction. According to a report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 75% of passengers are satisfied with this new method, while the remaining portion opts for face-to-face interaction to complete these procedures.
Meanwhile, for more traditional travelers, the option of a conventional passenger checkpoint will still be available. «The human touch is reduced to a personal choice, and it’s about offering options to customers,» said IATA’s head of customer experience. Beyond personal preference, this mechanism will also have exceptions for children. Minors under 12 years old will be required to complete procedures through the traditional method due to the facial changes they undergo at this stage of life.
Abu Dhabi: A Path Toward Revolutionary Technology
The implementation of this new project is one of the goals that an emirate like Abu Dhabi has set in terms of technological innovation and global advancements. Singapore has also been a pioneer in these types of methods, integrating a biometric authorization system for residents and tourists, and by the end of 2023, it decided to expand the use of this technology.
In other parts of the world, such as the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions—including Hong Kong, Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Delhi—these new travel methods have begun to be implemented, just as Europe saw when Heathrow Airport and IATA collaborated last year on an international flight pilot project using digital identity, connecting London with Rome via a «W3C Verifiable Credential.» In this case, a digital wallet was used to include the passport, visa, and ticket, all verified through biometric technology. Meanwhile, in locations such as the United States, Customs and Border Protection has also initiated this concept in 96 international airports.
