Dubai's new airport promises shorter queues, quicker check-ins & immigration procedures

Dubai is set to transform air travel with its proposed $35 billion terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), aiming to introduce a fully contactless experience for passengers. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths shared this update during the Learning at Work Week 2025 event, highlighting the integration of advanced technologies to streamline airport procedures.

Griffiths envisions an airport where traditional processes like check-in, baggage handling, and immigration are replaced with automated systems. He stated at the event, "Let us eliminate all these 50 to 100-year-old processes that we've been practising for far too long and create the world's first contactless airport."

Key features of the proposed terminal include

• Biometric identification: Passengers will use facial recognition and other biometric technologies to navigate through security, customs, and immigration, reducing wait times and enhancing security.
• Universal baggage barcoding: Luggage will have embedded barcodes from the point of manufacture, allowing for seamless tracking and eliminating the need for traditional baggage tags.
• Elimination of traditional check-in: With airlines already possessing passenger information, the need for physical check-in counters is questioned. Passengers would manage their preferences digitally, making the airport experience more akin to entering a hotel lobby.
• Enhanced hospitality: By removing conventional bottlenecks, the airport aims to offer improved retail, dining, and lounge options, creating a more enjoyable environment for travelers.
• Integrated ground transportation: Plans include a deep-level underground railway and the adoption of driverless vehicle technology to ensure efficient connectivity between the airport and the rest of Dubai.

Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, emphasised the broader vision, stating that Dubai's growth strategy focuses on attracting visitors and encouraging them to become long-term residents. He said, "Dubai's growth story is about attracting visitors and becoming the preferred city to live and work in."