Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), known as the “airport of the future,” is set to redefine the travel experience through cutting-edge technologies, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
At this next-generation airport, passport control will be conducted through smart tunnels, allowing passengers to pass through border checks in just seconds—a significant upgrade from the standard procedures at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
During the Dubai Airport Show, the Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs announced that manual passport checks and stamping will be eliminated. Instead, biometric recognition and AI will fully automate the process. Despite this automation, personalized services will still be available, including dedicated counters for children, mothers, and elderly passengers.
Smart robots will also manage baggage handling. Upon arrival by car, passengers will have their luggage collected by autonomous robots that deliver it to check-in counters. Meanwhile, welcome robots will collect hand luggage and guide passengers to their gates.
Other innovations at Al Maktoum Airport include smart traffic management systems to track incoming vehicles, biometric self-service kiosks for baggage drop-off, and even the option for home delivery of luggage via autonomous vehicles.
The futuristic experience goes beyond the terminal: passengers will enjoy robot-assisted dining, duty-free shopping with seat delivery, and immersive metaverse experiences. Additionally, eight smaller terminals connected by an underground rail system will offer a more personalized and seamless journey.
With these innovations, Al Maktoum International is poised to become a new global icon of aviation a
nd smart city excellence.
