Emirates biometric path through Terminal 3 at Dubai International, with GDRFA Smart Gates
Deployed
Emirates has invested AED 85 million in more than 200 biometric cameras across Terminal 3 at Dubai International, the Dubai Media Office announced on 3 November 2025, which Aerospace Global News put at about $23 million. Registered customers can use their face at check-in, immigration, the Emirates lounge at Concourse B through five entry points, and boarding at some gates on Concourses A, B and C. Registration is done in the Emirates app.
The immigration step uses the Smart Gates run by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA), which Gulf News reported on 20 July 2026 process passengers in seven to 13 seconds. In the announcement, GDRFA's Director General, Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, said the authority has "integrated artificial intelligence and biometric technologies" over the years.
The Emirates camera path and GDRFA's Smart Gates are separate systems from GDRFA's Red Carpet corridor, which is covered in its own record. Enrolment numbers for the Emirates path had not been published as of 16 October 2026.
What the system does
Emirates has invested AED 85 million in more than 200 biometric cameras across Terminal 3 at Dubai International, the Dubai Media Office announced on 3 November 2025, which Aerospace Global News put at about $23 million. Registered customers can use their face at check-in, immigration, the Emirates lounge at Concourse B through five entry points, and boarding at some gates on Concourses A, B and C. Registration is done in the Emirates app.
The immigration step uses the Smart Gates run by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA), which Gulf News reported on 20 July 2026 process passengers in seven to 13 seconds. In the announcement, GDRFA's Director General, Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, said the authority has "integrated artificial intelligence and biometric technologies" over the years.
The Emirates camera path and GDRFA's Smart Gates are separate systems from GDRFA's Red Carpet corridor, which is covered in its own record. Enrolment numbers for the Emirates path had not been published as of 16 October 2026.
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