Dubai, UAE | 4th September 2025: The Dubai Airport Red Carpet AI corridor is set to redefine airport arrivals and departures with its latest major expansion. This revolutionary system promises near-instant passport control for travellers, delivering a seamless entry and exit experience like never before. This initiative not only enhances passenger experience but also boosts Dubai International Airport’s capacity to handle record-breaking traveller volumes while maintaining the highest standards of security and accuracy.

Technology Behind the Corridor

The Dubai Airport Red Carpet AI corridor leverages state-of-the-art biometric facial recognition and deep-learning algorithms to verify identities in real time. Discrete 3D sensors capture high-resolution facial data and match it against pre-registered passenger profiles within milliseconds.

According to Dubai Airports, the system processes up to ten travellers simultaneously, reducing individual biometric checks from an average of 45 seconds to just 6–14 seconds per person. All scans occur without physical contact or document presentation, and the AI is trained on diverse demographic datasets to maintain accuracy across age groups and ethnicities.

Edge computing at checkpoints allows data processing locally, reducing latency and ensuring robust security in line with the GDRFA’s strict technical standards. The system flags any suspicious cases for manual review, balancing speed with uncompromising security

Benefits for Passengers

Passengers using the Dubai Airport Red Carpet AI corridor enjoy dramatic reductions in wait times, no more standing in traditional immigration queues or fumbling for passports. Gulf News reports average clearance times have fallen by over 60% since the expansion, boosting passenger satisfaction scores by 25%. Frequent flyers note that the expedited process allows them extra time for duty-free shopping or lounge access. Travellers with reduced mobility benefit from the hands-free design, which eliminates document handling and accommodates wheelchairs seamlessly.

Surveys by the International Air Transport Association highlight that over 90% of users feel less stressed and better accommodated thanks to the Dubai Airport Red Carpet AI corridor, underscoring its wide acceptance and positive impact

Security and Privacy Considerations

Under the Dubai Airport Red Carpet AI corridor framework, data security is paramount. All biometric data is encrypted end-to-end and stored on secure servers managed by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), in compliance with UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 on Personal Data Protection. Regular third-party audits ensure the AI models maintain at least 99.8% accuracy and unbiased performance across different ethnicities and ages. Passengers who prefer not to use biometric lanes can opt for manual immigration booths, preserving privacy choice while maintaining the corridor’s overall efficiency.

Additionally, anomaly detection continuously monitors for fraud attempts, with human officers ready to intervene instantly if an issue arises. Travellers retain the option to use manual immigration lanes if they choose to opt out of biometric processing.

Future Developments

Building on the success of the Dubai Airport Red Carpet AI corridor, DXB plans to roll out the technology to Terminals 1 and 2 by mid-2026, covering over 90% of passenger flows at peak hours. Upcoming enhancements include multimodal biometric integration combining facial recognition with fingerprint and iris scans to boost security and reduce false positives. Dubai Airports is also piloting real-time health screening, using AI to detect elevated temperatures and symptoms, aiming to integrate contactless health checks by late 2026.

Dubai Airport Red Carpet AI corridor plans to link with smart baggage drop-off and automated customs clearance will create an end-to-end frictionless travel journey at DXB. Dubai International Airport is pioneering off-site luggage check-in services with partners like Dubz, allowing passengers to drop off their bags from locations across the city, including hotels, metro stations, and shopping malls, well before arriving at the airport.