Dubai Airports is introducing a ‘red carpet’ experience for travelers at Al Maktoum International Airport, allowing passengers to move through the airport without removing passports, waiting in lines, or visiting check-in desks, a senior official announced on Tuesday.
“We have a unique advantage with our two airport systems at Dubai Airports. This allows us to test new ideas and technologies and scale them for the new airport. One such initiative is the red carpet experience, where passengers can walk through immigration without removing their passports. The complexity of this process is entirely invisible to the traveler,” said Ismail Polat, Senior Vice President for Development at Dubai Airports.
Dubai Airports previously launched a ‘Red Carpet’ smart corridor at Dubai International (DXB), enabling travelers to clear immigration in just six seconds, even during peak periods, without counters, document checks, or passport scans. Instead, passengers walk along a red carpet while discreet sensors scan their faces.
“This is our target for the customer journey. Behind the scenes, seven agencies are connected to capture passenger information and ensure every security check is completed seamlessly,” Polat explained during a panel discussion on the second day of the Dubai Airshow 2025.
All operations at Dubai International (DXB) are expected to transfer to Al Maktoum International (DWC) in the early 2030s. The new Dh128-billion passenger terminal will increase capacity to 260 million passengers annually and fully accommodate DXB’s operations.
“We aim to bring two frictionless, no-queue, no-waiting experiences to the new airport. Achieving this requires advanced AI and close collaboration—not just within the airport, but with all government entities involved. Currently, around 50 different systems are integrated across the airport,” Polat added.
He also highlighted that predictive AI systems can now forecast in real time which passengers will arrive within 50-minute windows, enabling proactive assistance. “We want to enhance predictability. Our smart teams often focus on routine tasks, but by automating these, we can focus on delivering the best experience for passengers.”
Polat emphasised that while the new airport will handle 260 million passengers, the focus will remain on individual experiences.
“We are planning for 260 million passengers, but the journey will be tailored for each person. Instead of a standardized check-in process, it will be curated for the passenger’s needs. If someone prefers a check-in desk, we can accommodate that. The idea is to personalize the experience rather than dictate it,” he concluded.
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