Passengers at Abu Dhabi Airport will now be able to clear immigration in as little as seven seconds, as the new “Smart Travel” initiative is introduced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) in partnership with Abu Dhabi Airports, according to a report by Gulf News. The system uses biometric verification and smart gate technology to streamline arrivals, helping the airport achieve a gate-to-kerb experience in under 12 minutes.
The agreement was signed at Zayed International Airport with Elena Sorlini, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, and Mohammed Ahmed Abdullah Al Kuwaiti, acting director general of ICP, signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU). The partnership will strengthen cooperation across border control operations, customs facilitation, emergency preparedness, staff training, and service optimisation.
As per the Gulf News report, Sorlini said, “We are delighted to have strengthened our partnership with UAE ICP. Together, we aim to raise the standard for efficient, secure, and passenger-centric airport operations.”
Al Kuwaiti added, “The integration between government services and airport operations is essential to realizing the UAE’s vision for aviation leadership. With this agreement, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring border security while enabling fast, intelligent, and seamless travel experiences.”
The initiative comes amid record passenger growth at Abu Dhabi Airports. The airport recorded a 44.5% increase in traffic in 2023, followed by 28% in 2024, marking 17 consecutive quarters of double-digit growth through the first half of 2025. The MoU ensures that airport systems and infrastructure can handle rising demand while maintaining high service standards.
Beyond immediate efficiency gains, the program reflects the UAE’s strategic aim to become a global leader in aviation, tourism, and logistics by delivering seamless, tech-enabled travel experiences for millions of passengers annually.
The agreement was signed at Zayed International Airport with Elena Sorlini, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, and Mohammed Ahmed Abdullah Al Kuwaiti, acting director general of ICP, signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU). The partnership will strengthen cooperation across border control operations, customs facilitation, emergency preparedness, staff training, and service optimisation.
As per the Gulf News report, Sorlini said, “We are delighted to have strengthened our partnership with UAE ICP. Together, we aim to raise the standard for efficient, secure, and passenger-centric airport operations.”
Al Kuwaiti added, “The integration between government services and airport operations is essential to realizing the UAE’s vision for aviation leadership. With this agreement, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring border security while enabling fast, intelligent, and seamless travel experiences.”
The initiative comes amid record passenger growth at Abu Dhabi Airports. The airport recorded a 44.5% increase in traffic in 2023, followed by 28% in 2024, marking 17 consecutive quarters of double-digit growth through the first half of 2025. The MoU ensures that airport systems and infrastructure can handle rising demand while maintaining high service standards.
Beyond immediate efficiency gains, the program reflects the UAE’s strategic aim to become a global leader in aviation, tourism, and logistics by delivering seamless, tech-enabled travel experiences for millions of passengers annually.
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