The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai reported that Dubai International Airport successfully managed 86,161,000 passengers over a span of 16 months, encompassing the previous year and the first four months of the current year, without registering a single complaint.

This announcement was made by Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Marri during the Global Airport Leaders Forum.

During his address, Al Marri indicated that 39.2% of travelers utilized smart gates during the same period, translating to approximately 33,800,000 passengers.

He attributed the success of Dubai airports to the collaborative efforts of various departments and agencies, all working as one team to welcome visitors to the emirate.

Al Marri emphasized the directive from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish Dubai as a global destination.

He stated that this commitment compels the authorities to labor diligently and enthusiastically to present the best possible experience for travelers arriving in and departing from Dubai.

In his keynote address titled "Commitment to Excellence and Proactive Approach in Shaping the Future of Aviation," Al Marri mentioned the belief that the future of travel may involve the elimination of traditional documentation.

Consequently, the administration, along with stakeholders, is preparing for such eventualities through the integration of advanced technologies.

He noted that while passengers previously had to present their passports for manual checks, the process has now evolved with AI, allowing for automatic screening of programmed passports.

Al Marri acknowledged that discussions regarding airport management cannot be limited to just the passport department or customs authorities, as success in Dubai's airports results from a collective partnership among all involved agencies, which apply a unified strategic plan.

He pointed out that the sheer volume of travelers managed by the passport team reflects their exceptional performance.

In 2024 alone, the team processed 63,376,000 passengers, including 25 million who utilized smart gates.

From the start of the current year until the end of April, the passport teams managed 22,785,000 travelers, with 8.8 million utilizing the smart gates.

Overall, the total number of passengers handled over 16 months reached approximately 86,161,000, noteworthy for the absence of complaints.

Looking ahead, Al Marri revealed that the General Directorate is not merely planning for the present but is also developing a five-year vision for the future of aviation and advanced technologies.

He stated that despite the growing reliance on artificial intelligence, the role of human employees remains crucial.

Automated systems will refer any suspicious passports to forgery experts for verification, a process that did not exist previously.

Additionally, Al Marri highlighted that airports globally require highly efficient security checks, yet Dubai airports stand out for their ability to provide robust security while ensuring ease of service.

He noted that they welcome feedback to enhance their service delivery continually.

The General Directorate has taken special measures to ensure the humane treatment of specific groups, including prioritizing processing for mothers traveling with children and elderly passengers.

Furthermore, Dubai also initiated what is considered the world's first passport counter specifically for children, underscoring its commitment to customer service and creating positive experiences for younger travelers.

Al Marri reiterated that the future of the travel sector lies in seamless travel experiences, which Dubai is consistently working to improve, with smart gates playing a significant role in this achievement.