UAE carrier flydubai gets new biometric smart gates with new tech upgrade

Dubai: Dubai-based airline flydubai has introduced smart biometric gates for its flight crew, in collaboration with emaratech, marking a major step toward streamlining immigration processes using artificial intelligence and facial recognition.

Installed at the airline’s Airport Operations Centre, the six new gates will allow over 3,800 pilots and cabin crew to clear immigration quickly before their flights, especially during peak travel periods. The system uses AI-driven identity verification, biometric scanning, and real-time platform integration to validate crew credentials seamlessly.

The move reflects flydubai’s ongoing strategy to invest in technology that boosts efficiency, punctuality, and operational security, as the airline continues to scale its growing regional and international network.

“We are pleased to have partnered with emaratech to implement this innovative solution,” said Mohammed Hareb AlMheiri, Chief Procurement & Technology Officer at flydubai. “It marks another step in future-proofing our operations while supporting our frontline teams.”

The new solution eliminates the need for manual document checks and ensures faster turnaround times for the airline’s growing fleet, which currently includes 89 aircraft flying to over 135 destinations.

Thani Alzaffin, Group CEO of emaratech, added: “This paperless immigration experience, powered by facial recognition, offers a truly frictionless journey. We're proud to partner with flydubai to lead the next generation of border control.”

The partnership is part of a broader trend in the UAE to digitise travel and border control experiences. emaratech, a leader in government tech services, has already powered several high-profile smart immigration projects in Dubai and beyond.

As air travel rebounds and operational speed becomes more critical than ever, flydubai’s adoption of smart biometric technology demonstrates how digital infrastructure is becoming a key pillar of airline performance in the region.