Dubai Airport’s Red Carpet travel service processes passengers in just 3.4 seconds
DXB marks one year of AI-powered immigration experience for travellers
DUBAI – Dubai International Airport has marked one year since the launch of its groundbreaking ‘Red Carpet’ travel service, an AI-powered immigration experience that enables passengers to complete entry and exit procedures in just 3.4 seconds without stopping or presenting travel documents.
The initiative, introduced by Dubai’s General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) in collaboration with Dubai Airports, has already processed more than 800,000 travellers since its rollout. According to figures released by the Government of Dubai Media Office, the service has also achieved a customer satisfaction rate of 99.81 percent, reinforcing Dubai’s push towards fully seamless travel experiences.
The smart corridor, described as one of the fastest airport crossing experiences in the world, relies on an integrated digital ecosystem powered by artificial intelligence and biometric technologies. Travellers are able to move through passport control without physically interacting with immigration counters or presenting documents, with facial recognition and biometric verification completing the process automatically in the background.
"Red Carpet" at Dubai International Airport
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 11, 2026
The world’s fastest travel experiences, with a crossing time of just 3.4 seconds without the need to stop or present any documents.@GDRFADUBAI pic.twitter.com/AA0pnKAxAq
Authorities said the system forms part of the emirate’s broader strategy to position itself as a global leader in smart mobility and advanced digital government services. The initiative also reflects the continued transformation of Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest international airport, into a hub driven by technology-led passenger experiences.
‘Red Carpet’
The ‘Red Carpet’ service was launched through cooperation between GDRFA Dubai and Dubai Airports, with the system initially introduced at DXB’s Terminal 3. Using AI-supported biometric technologies and integrated traveller data, the smart corridor allows passengers to walk through immigration checkpoints without stopping, dramatically reducing waiting times and easing passenger movement during peak travel periods.
Dubai Media Office said the crossing process now takes an average of only 3.4 seconds, making it one of the fastest immigration experiences globally. The system removes the traditional requirement for travellers to present passports or boarding passes, while still maintaining high levels of security through automated verification systems.
Authorities previously noted that the smart corridor is capable of processing multiple passengers simultaneously, significantly improving operational efficiency compared with conventional passport control procedures. The technology combines biometric cameras, AI-driven identity verification and integrated flight information to complete immigration clearance within seconds.
The introduction of the service comes as DXB continues to witness massive passenger traffic growth. Dubai Airports announced earlier that Dubai International handled 23.4 million guests during the first quarter of 2025 alone, while maintaining high operational efficiency through biometric passport control and real-time monitoring systems.
Passenger growth
Dubai International Airport has continued strengthening its position as one of the most connected aviation hubs in the world. DXB welcomed 95.2 million guests during 2025, marking the busiest year in the airport’s history and the highest annual international passenger traffic ever recorded by any airport.
Airport authorities have increasingly focused on automation, predictive systems and smart technologies to handle rising passenger volumes efficiently. Dubai Airports previously stated that biometric passport control systems helped ensure that more than 95 percent of guests experienced minimal waiting times across key airport touchpoints.
The ‘Red Carpet’ initiative also aligns with Dubai’s wider ambition to deliver frictionless government services through artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Dubai officials have repeatedly highlighted innovation and customer experience as central pillars in the emirate’s aviation growth strategy.
Dubai Airports and the oneDXB community have also implemented integrated readiness plans during peak travel seasons to maintain smooth passenger flows. During major holiday and summer travel periods, DXB has recorded daily passenger volumes exceeding 265,000 travellers, supported by real-time monitoring systems and advanced resource management technologies.