DUBAI – With airports facing increasing passenger volumes, evolving regulations, and a need for heightened competitiveness, addressing these challenges is crucial, said Thani Alzaffin, CEO of Emaratech Group.
Emaratech empowers airports with innovative IT solutions and advanced technologies to bolster safety, efficiency, and security. State-of-the-art solutions, including biometric identification and artificial intelligence, are significantly modernizing airport security, Alzaffin emphasized.
“The future of travel heavily depends on the transformative power of biometrics and touchless passenger experiences. These innovations aim to reshape air travel, benefiting all stakeholders, especially with the adoption of such seamless processes internationally. From the perspective of airports and aviation authorities, this new experience offers immense potential,” he added.
In smart travel, Emaratech has been a key pioneer, especially in partnership with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs-Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai), Emirates Airlines, and Dubai Airports. The company envisions a customer-focused experience, realized through a secure and integrated process that smoothly connects all airport touchpoints.
The aviation industry plays a vital role in maintaining airport safety and security, as evolving threats continue to influence current and future airport security frameworks globally. By 2030, leveraging data, new technologies, and processes is anticipated to significantly reduce checkpoint stress for passengers.
Airport security is increasingly being strengthened through expanded collaborative efforts with governments, aviation regulators, and airport operators. Advanced risk assessments and more discreet, decentralized screening technologies are being implemented, primarily at gates or along airport corridors, instead of a central location.
Experts suggest that the foundation for aviation security in 2030 is already set, but there remain challenges to overcome and standards to establish for effective product design. Facial recognition and biometrics are expected to become integral to aviation security infrastructure. Enhancements and expansions in airport security are essential to manage the anticipated movement of around seven billion air passengers by 2030 smoothly.
A trend is emerging to relocate airport security processes off-site in several countries, including the Middle East, to manage rising passenger numbers and limited infrastructure development, as stated by officials from the Airports Council International (ACI-World).
Technologies are being adapted to newer and emerging security environments, with crucial data shared throughout the passenger journey to address threats like cybercrimes and explosive devices, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The world’s leading experts and officials will discuss the present and future of aviation and airport security at the upcoming Airport Show in Dubai this May. They aim to recommend measures to address gaps and enhance systems and procedures. The 23rd edition of the Airport Show, along with co-located events such as the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Forum, Airport Security Middle East, and the Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF), is scheduled for May 14-16. This highly anticipated event will convene leading airport suppliers, service providers, aviation leaders, and regional decision-makers to showcase the latest innovations and technologies. This year’s theme, ‘Sustainability and Innovation,’ highlights the industry’s commitment to embracing advanced technology and eco-friendly initiatives for growth and efficiency.
Industry insiders note that airport security is a complex and vital aspect of the Middle East region’s aviation infrastructure. Given geopolitical tensions and heightened security concerns, airports are prioritizing stringent security measures, including passenger and baggage screening, access control, surveillance systems, and collaboration. Middle Eastern airports are leaders in implementing advanced technologies like biometric scanning, explosive detection systems, and AI-driven surveillance to bolster security. Moreover, stringent regulations are in place, ensuring airports and airlines adhere to international safety standards.
The global airport security market size is projected to reach US$26 billion by 2030, as stated in a report by Spherical Insights Consulting. The report emphasizes that the Middle East Airport Security Market faces unique challenges due to the complex geopolitical factors in the region. These challenges significantly influence how airports approach and implement security measures, especially considering their proximity to active conflict zones.
Middle Eastern airports utilize a mix of methods, including physical inspections and advanced technology, for security. Passengers undergo screening with metal detectors, full-body scanners, and explosive trace detection machines. Hand luggage and personal items are scanned with X-ray machines to identify prohibited or dangerous items. In some instances, passengers may undergo secondary screenings based on behavioral profiling or random selection, ensuring comprehensive risk assessment.
Middle Eastern airports utilize state-of-the-art baggage screening systems that use X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans to create detailed images of checked baggage contents. These technologies assist security personnel in identifying suspicious or prohibited items, such as explosives, weapons, or contraband. Automated systems flag anomalies for additional inspection, and trained staff meticulously examine these items to ensure they pose no security threat before allowing the baggage onto aircraft.
These airports are leaders in adopting advanced security technologies to enhance safety. Biometric systems, including facial recognition and iris scans, are increasingly used for identity verification and access control, streamlining the passenger journey while maintaining security. Furthermore, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms are employed to analyze passenger behavior and detect potential threats.
Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) are widely used to identify explosive materials in checked baggage. These systems leverage sophisticated algorithms to analyze X-ray images for trace amounts of explosives, adding an extra layer of security.
Additionally, Middle Eastern airports invest in surveillance technologies, such as high-definition CCTV cameras and video analytics, to monitor activities across airport premises. Real-time intelligence sharing enables proactive responses to potential threats and adjustments in security measures.
These airports also benefit from access to cutting-edge equipment and systems that enhance screening processes and security outcomes. They align their security protocols with internationally recognized guidelines, ensuring consistency and compatibility with global standards. Biometric systems like facial recognition, iris scanning, and fingerprint recognition are increasingly integrated into Middle Eastern airports.
These technologies provide secure and efficient methods for passenger identity verification at various touchpoints, including check-in, security screening, and boarding gates. This approach allows passengers to move seamlessly through the airport, reducing wait times and enhancing convenience while upholding the highest security levels.
An Oliver Wyman analysis discussing travel trends to 2050 predicts that by 2040, over 19 billion passengers will annually pass through world airports, with the global commercial aviation fleet expanding by 33 percent to more than 36,000 aircraft by 2033. The analysis states, ‘Airports will be core drivers of industry-wide change, undergoing transformation in the process. Airports are, after all, where air travel journeys begin and end. Going forward, the passenger experience will be customized, on-demand, contactless, and efficient. The digitization of airports will enable a tailored end-to-end journey and create new retail and commercial revenue opportunities.’
The transformation of passenger processing is set to significantly alter the internal layout of airport terminals, with future divisions between airside and landside expected to differ markedly from today. ‘The reduction in check-in counters and security screening queues will open up new opportunities for commercial retail and relaxation spaces in terminals. By 2030, we anticipate that the integration of new technologies will allow airports to offer passengers customized, on-demand services to enhance their airport experience,’ the survey added.
For passengers, touchless travel and digital ID cards may replace paper passports by 2040, a year that envisions airports with open-architecture designs, facilitating touchless security and check-in processes. By 2050, airport operations are expected to be fully autonomous, increasing the speed and quality of activities from security to immigration and boarding.
Coordinated efforts by governments and regulatory bodies could lead to an internationally recognized digital identity for all passengers by 2050. By then, it is likely that robots and automation will assume most current roles at airports. The concept of zero-queue terminals is projected to become a reality by 2050, with customized and pre-planned processes enabling a seamless journey from home to destination and back.
Passengers will control every aspect of their journey and experience through their devices or travel and airport apps. Remote processing and one-stop processing pods, potentially available during transit to the airport, will streamline boarding and security procedures.