Dubai Airport: World’s 1st AI-enabled ‘red carpet corridor’ helps passengers clear immigration in 14 seconds or less
August 19, 2025
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has unveiled the world’s first artificial intelligence-powered passenger corridor. It allows travellers to clear immigration in seconds without presenting passports or identification documents.
Dubai Airport rolls out ‘red carpet corridor’ for faster passenger clearance
The so-called ‘red carpet corridor’ is currently available at DXB’s Terminal 3 for First and Business Class travellers. Dubai authorities say the initiative is part of a broader “Travel Without Borders” program that aims to phase out traditional passport control entirely.
Passengers can move seamlessly through immigration without the need for physical documents.
Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) developed the system. It builds on the ‘smart tunnel’ introduced at DXB in 2020, combining biometric data and advanced AI to verify passengers’ identities as they walk through.
The corridor enhances both efficiency and security by instantly flagging irregularities for manual review. Officials say clearance takes between four and 14 seconds per person. Remarkably, the system can process up to 10 passengers simultaneously.
As Gulf News reported, Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the GRDFA, described the red carpet corridor as a “quantum leap in the world of smart travel.”
Dubai’s AI-enabled corridor improves on other airport biometric systems
Dubai’s new AI-enabled immigration clearance corridor builds on biometric systems being introduced around the world, bringing the service one step closer to the futuristic biometric identity envisioned by science fiction films like Minority Report.
Singapore Changi Airport has also launched a successful passport-free biometric system for immigration. The Automated Biometric Clearance developed by Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority launched at the country’s air and sea ports last year and has already processed over 93 million travellers as of June of this year.
At Singapore Changi Airport, the system relies on automated facial and iris biometric clearance to offer passport-less options for Singapore residents at arrival and departure, and for foreign visitors at departure.
To qualify, visitors must submit an SG Arrival Card before arrival and enrol biometrics on their first entry before using the automated lanes for subsequent departures.
Dubai leverages technology to support growth while maintaining security
Dubai International Airport is the world’s busiest hub for international travel, serving over 80 million passengers annually. It has been seeking new ways to improve throughput while maintaining strict border controls. The launch of the AI corridor reflects Dubai’s strategy to leverage technology to reduce bottlenecks at immigration checkpoints.
Passengers who have trialled the system described the experience as significantly faster than conventional immigration counters. Some reported completing clearance “in record time” with no need to stop for document checks.
The rollout of the corridor positions DXB as a global leader in airport innovation, at a time when major hubs worldwide are increasingly adopting biometric solutions for border control.
“This is not just aiming to improve efficiency,” Mr. Al Marri added. “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.”
Officials have not provided a timeline for when the technology will be available to economy-class passengers, but confirmed that broader deployment will come in phases.
