The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai revealed that more than 9.4 million passengers completed their travel procedures through the smart technology system at Dubai Airport during the first half of 2026.
The system includes smart gates and the “Red Carpet” borderless travel service, which represents one of the most advanced stages in the development of smart travel across Dubai airports.
The directorate confirmed that the “Red Carpet” service has delivered one of the fastest passenger clearance experiences in the world. It helped reduce processing time by 60%, bringing the average clearance time down to just 3.4 seconds per passenger. This achievement further strengthens Dubai Airports’ position as an advanced model for operational efficiency and high-quality passenger services.
According to the directorate, the total number of passengers who benefited from the integrated smart travel system reached 9,464,057 during the first half of the year. Of these, 9,025,000 passengers used the smart gates, which serve as a key pillar in facilitating entry and exit procedures, while 439,321 passengers benefited from the “Red Carpet” service.
The “Red Carpet” service is designed to process the procedures of 10 passengers at the same time in an instant and smart manner, helping speed up passenger movement and reduce the need to stop inside the airport.
The service reflects an advanced concept of borderless travel, based on eliminating traditional documents and reducing touchpoints to zero. This highlights the high level of digital integration now being applied to travel procedures.
It is considered the most advanced phase in Dubai’s journey toward smart travel, as it allows eligible passengers to complete entry and exit procedures while moving, without the need to present a passport or stop at inspection points in the traditional way.
The “Red Carpet” service relies on an integrated system of artificial intelligence and biometric recognition technologies, creating a clear shift in the passenger experience by reducing clearance time from 12.5 seconds to only 3.4 seconds.
This development reflects Dubai’s leadership in adopting smart travel solutions and reinforces the position of its airports among the most advanced in the world, combining speed, accuracy, and smooth procedures to deliver a more efficient and comfortable travel experience.
