Sunday, Jun 16, 2013
Dubai: The smart e-gate system which went into operation at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3 in January this year is being expanded.
Eighteen gates are already operational but ten more will be added soon, said a senior official from the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDFRA) in Dubai.
“Currently, there are 18 smart e-gates installed at Terminal 3’s arrivals section while ten more will soon be ready for operation in approximately a month’s time,”
Colonel Nasser Al Razouqi, director of the IT department at the GDRFA said: “There are plans to add the system in the departure section of Terminal 3 as well, but only for registration purposes.”
Currently there are two gates connected to one counter — which means instead of two officers, you only need one.
The smart e-gates don’t require travellers to undergo prior registration with the GDRFA as is needed by the older e-gates.
The new system quickly scans and reads passport information and captures biometric data including facial recognition and retinal scans using a high-accuracy camera. The system then matches the traveller’s captured biometrics and passport information against existing lists to detect any potential immigration issues.
The smart e-gates will be installed in all Dubai International Airport’s terminals by 2014, the year in which it is expected to handle 75 million passengers annually. Colonel Al Razouqi said visitors to the Airport Show were able to explore the system, which allows travellers to clear immigration formalities in less than 24 seconds rather than queuing up at a normal counter, which can take up to an hour and a half. First-time users need to go to a counter after undergoing a facial and iris scan but afterwards travellers can simply go through the smart e-Gate by using their passport, Emirates ID or UAE e-Gate card.
By Bassma Al Jandaly Senior Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
