DUBAI, July 10th, 2013 (WAM) -- Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) and emaratech, an IT solutions consultancy, have signed an agreement to build and install smart gates at Dubai International Airports and upgrade immigration counters to alleviate travellers passport control procedures.
Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects represents a number of stakeholders in this contract; namely Dubai Airports, Emirates Airlines and the General Directorate for Residency and Foreign Affairs. The smart gate is an automated, secure and convenient self-service alternative to the conventional border control process through immigration officers. The smart gate identifies users through their biometrically enhanced passports, ID cards or e-Gate cards. It uses facial and eye recognition technology to identify and verify the user. Once the checks are made, the gate opens automatically for travellers to pass through to baggage reclaim areas. The smart gate puts an end to long queues for travellers with electronically read passports from the 33 pre-approved visa countries, UAE citizens and residences and GCC nationals. Travellers using smart gates will be able to complete their passport control procedures in as little as 20 seconds. Travellers who wish to avoid the waiting time at normal immigration counters can register their biometrics and start using the smart gate at no cost. Twenty locations have been identified to enroll and register travellers to use the smart gate at Terminal 3?s departure halls, Terminals 1 & 3 arrival halls, DNATA office at Sheikh Zayed road and the headquarters of Emirates Airlines and General Directorate for Residency and Foreign Affairs, in addition to immigration arrival counters at terminal 3 which passengers use to register and enter. Immigration counters will be upgraded to have facial and eye recognition systems and to register travellers enabling them to use smart gates next time they arrive in Dubai. "The smart gates and upgrading immigration counters mark another important milestone in our continuing strategy to fully harness the potential of Dubai?s International Airports and passenger handling capacity ", said Suzanne Al-Anani, CEO of DAEP. Applying the latest advanced technology from passport readers to biometric scans puts both the authorities and travellers at ease, with great efficiency and the highest level of security. Engineered, developed and powered by emaratech, 14 smart gates are already in use at Dubai International Airport's Terminal Three, with 14 more to be installed by end of this summer. Plans are underway to install smart gates at terminals 1 & 2 at Dubai International Airport and at Al-Maktoum International Airport and Dubai ports. "The smart gate is a source of great pride not only for citizens and residents of the UAE but also for all Arabs as it has been engineered and developed by an Emarati company", stressed Thani Alzaffin, board member and Director-General of emaratech. "The smart gate is recognized as the most efficient and most advanced around the world from technical, operational and security integration aspects that ensure the highest standards of safety and security to all passengers. This is what we have delivered to Dubai", Thani concluded.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
