Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport in the UAE is set to become the world’s first passport-free airport by 2025, thanks to its £2.3 billion “Smart Travel Project.” This advanced facility will employ biometric sensors at every checkpoint, including check-in counters, immigration booths, duty-free stores, airline lounges, and boarding gates.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently praised the airport’s innovation, noting that the US needs to catch up. According to Andrew Murphy, the airport’s chief information officer, the airport will feature nine touchpoints, offering a seamless travel experience with no pre-enrollment required. Passengers will be automatically recognized and authenticated as they move through the airport, greatly accelerating the process.
Murphy explained that first-time arrivals in the UAE, whether residents or tourists, will have their biometrics collected by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) upon arrival. This data will then be used to facilitate a smooth passenger experience throughout the airport.
A survey by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) found that 75% of passengers prefer using biometric data over traditional passports and boarding passes. However, for those who prefer it, traditional verification methods will still be available.
Louise Cole, head of customer experience and facilitation at IATA, noted that the slow adoption of fully contactless biometric systems in the industry is due to the repetitive nature of proving one’s identity in various stages of the travel process.
In addition to Abu Dhabi, Singapore’s Changi Airport is rolling out a similar biometric clearance system this month, in partnership with the government’s immigration authority. Other airports, such as Hong Kong International, Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International, have also begun implementing biometric terminals at different points during transit.
