Dubai Airports has marked the completion of the installation of new and enhanced smart gates at Dubai International Terminal 1.
An array of 20 of the new smart gates is now fully operational in the arrivals area, in addition to the ten installed last year in departures.
In total, some 127 smart gates are available across the entire airport reducing average transaction times from minutes to under ten-15 seconds.
“Dubai Airports is always looking at opportunities for innovation that makes the journey smoother and more comfortable for our customers.
“Smart Gates do just that by slashing transaction times to just ten-15 seconds and shortening queues,” said Michael Ibbitson, executive vice president, technology and infrastructure, Dubai Airports.
“What’s surprising is that only 17 per cent of our passengers take advantage of the service.
“If you have a UAE residency card, don’t wait in line, use it.
“If you have a machine-readable passport, register it with immigration authorities.
“It will save you time and make your journey even more enjoyable.”
Smart gates do not require a dedicated card and can identify a traveller by either their passport, Emirates ID, e-gate card or a QR barcode generated via the GDRFA smartphone app.
Smart gates can be used by UAE citizens and residents, GCC nationals and passport holders from a number of countries that are eligible for visa on arrival.
In total, more than 5.5 million travellers used the smart gates at DXB during 2017.
Green Pledge
Dubai Airports also recently joined Dubai’s aviation community in signing a pledge to purchase only ‘green vehicles’ going forward.
The pledge was signed by sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Airports.
“This commitment is fully aligned with the Dubai government’s aggressive goals to reduce energy consumption by 30 per cent by 2030 as well as our sector’s strategy to limit our environmental footprint while continuing our significant contributions to Dubai’s employment and GDP,” said sheikh Ahmed.
DXB is home to a fleet of over 6,345 ground service vehicles comprising various types ranging from water tankers to tow tractors to fork lifts operated by a number of companies that operate on the airfield including airlines, control authorities and ground handling services provider dnata.
Of these DXB features a variety of green vehicles including BMW hybrid limousines for VIP services and RTA’s fleet of Tesla taxis but wants to scale up efforts to convert the fleet to top hybrid or electric models.
“Our goal is to get greener faster,” said Ibbitson.
“Together we have pledged to buy green going forward with a goal to replace the entire fleet with environmentally friendly options by the end of the next decade.
“Dubai Airports’ objective is to convert our portion of the total airport fleet – 352 vehicles – to green options by 2023.
“As a provider of infrastructure, Dubai Airports will also do its part by providing charging and fuelling stations to power the fleets operated by our stakeholders.
“All other members of the aviation community are equally behind this effort.
“Unfortunately, for some vehicle types such tow tractors, scissor lift trucks and ground power units, there are no hybrid or electric options.
“We are calling on manufacturers to address these gaps and come up with cost effective, environmentally friendly alternatives.”