This hi-tech airport to go ‘passport free’ soon

Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport is poised to become the world’s first passport-free airport by 2025, thanks to its innovative “Smart Travel Project”.

This £2.3 billion hi-tech facility will implement biometric sensors at all checkpoints, revolutionizing the travel experience.

The airport’s cutting-edge approach has garnered praise from industry leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who noted that the US needs to catch up. Andrew Murphy, Chief Information Officer at Abu Dhabi Airport, explained that the project aims to expand biometric touchpoints to nine, making it a world-first achievement.

The system utilizes biometric data collected by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) at immigration, eliminating the need for pre-enrollment. This seamless experience is designed to speed up the entire process, making travel more efficient.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 75% of passengers prefer using biometric data over traditional paper passports and boarding passes. For those who prefer traditional verification methods, they will still be available.

Abu Dhabi Airport’s pioneering effort is part of a growing trend, with Singapore’s Changi Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport also introducing biometric terminals.

Louise Cole, Head of Customer Experience and Facilitation for IATA, noted that the industry has been slow to adopt fully contactless biometric experiences, but Abu Dhabi’s initiative is leading the way. As the travel industry continues to evolve, biometric technology is set to play a significant role in shaping the future of air travel.