Dubai Airport unveils world’s first AI-powered passenger corridor

Dubai: Dubai International Airport, already the busiest hub for international travel, has introduced what is being described as the world’s first artificial intelligence-powered passenger corridor, a system designed to allow travelers to bypass traditional passport control entirely.

Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, announced the launch over the weekend, calling it a “quantum leap in the world of smart travel.”

The corridor, dubbed the 'red carpet,' allows passengers to walk through in seconds without showing documents or stopping at immigration counters. 

Unlike traditional checkpoints that process one passenger at a time, the system can handle up to ten travelers simultaneously.

“This is not just aiming to improve efficiency,” Mr. Al Marri said. “It is also redefining the travel experience. Dubai International Airport is not merely a transit point, but a vibrant gateway and a proud showcase for the UAE.”

The new system uses artificial intelligence to recognize passenger data before they reach the corridor, automatically verifying their identity and flagging suspicious cases for manual review. This doubles processing capacity while maintaining strict security standards.

Mohammed Amer, a Syrian national, said he and his family were able to move “in record time, without stopping at passport counters.” Mahmoud Balu, from Canada, described the corridor as making the process “far smoother and more comfortable,” while Ali Abdullah Al Sherawi, a Dubai businessman, said it offered “a level of seamlessness I haven’t seen even at leading global airports like Singapore, Tokyo, or London.”

While other major airports, including Heathrow in London and John F. Kennedy in New York, have experimented with automated lanes, passengers said Dubai’s new system was both faster and more intuitive. “Dubai doesn’t just compete, it sets the pace,” Al Sherawi said.