Dubai International Airport may soon allow travellers carrying only hand luggage to skip the check-in process entirely, according to Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths. The move is part of a broader strategy to reduce waiting times and improve passenger flow at one of the world’s busiest airports.
Griffiths noted that long queues for check-in, security checks, and baggage drop significantly disrupt the travel experience. By introducing new technology and rethinking traditional airport processes, Dubai Airports aims to help passengers move more efficiently through the terminal and reclaim valuable time often spent waiting in lines.
The airport operator is now working on removing the check-in requirement for passengers travelling with hand luggage only. If implemented, travellers will be able to head straight to security and the departure gates, cutting down their total airport processing time dramatically. The streamlined process will also enable Dubai International to manage a higher number of passengers without expanding physical space, effectively boosting capacity.
In line with these improvements, Dubai Airports recently unveiled a new red carpet corridor at Terminal 3, designed to simplify and speed up departure procedures. The cutting-edge smart tunnel uses AI-powered facial recognition to identify travellers, allowing up to 10 people to pass through simultaneously—without needing to show a passport or boarding pass. With this technology, departure formalities can be completed in a matter of seconds, a significant improvement over traditional queues.
Currently available to Business Class passengers, Dubai Airports plans to extend the smart corridor to more travellers and additional terminals. The initiative supports Dubai’s larger vision of digital transformation and smart travel, demonstrating the city’s commitment to using advanced technology to make air travel faster, smoother, and more convenient for all.
