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Details of the project and the registration process were announced at a press conference held last Sunday August 11, 2002 attended by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Airline and Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah bin Hassan, Assistant Director, DNRD for Airport and Free Zone.
Dubai Airport is the first airport in the Middle East and the third in the world to install such an advanced passenger clearance system that considerably accelerates the movement of traffic through electronic screening of passengers` data with the help of a smart card.
The Naturalisation & Residency Department has opened a registration office at the Dubai Airport to allow passengers to complete the formalities required for acquiring a smart card to gain instant electronic access to the airport. VIP registration will be made available during this week, while first-time users are required to register at the enrolment office of Dubai Airport, which officially commences from August 17, 2002.
The process requires users to show their original passports and complete simple procedures that include finger printing and photography. Once registered, they will be supplied with a smart card that carries all the relevant information about the holder. The whole system is linked to a central monitoring unit that controls all the operations.
Addressing the media, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed said: I would like to congratulate the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department on executing this challenging project that marks a radical transformation in the way passengers enter and exit the airport. The single most commendable aspect of the project is that it has been conceived and developed in-house by the Department`s IT section. This is a matter of great pride for UAE nationals, as it displays their expertise and ingenuity in the technological field.
The e-Gate at the Dubai International Airport is a revolutionary step aimed at eliminating delays and introducing a foolproof security system that can detect fraudsters or impersonators. This is yet another milestone for us and a strong testimony to the spirit of innovation that drives Dubai and makes it a dynamic and friendly place for people of all nationalities, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed added.
Dubai International Airport is used by millions of business visitors, tourists and expatriates. This enormous volume of traffic and the ensuing documentation pose a major problem to the authorities, said Lieutenant Colonel bin Hassan. The e-Gate at Dubai International Airport represents a totally new concept in air passenger clearance through the implementation of best of breed technologies in line with the vision of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, to leverage the benefits of technology to ease the lives of citizens.
The electronically operated gates are designed to ensure quick passenger clearance by utilising a smart card. In order to obtain the smart card, passengers need to be above 17 years of age. They can register at the airport by providing the original passport and a passport size photograph. This will enable the authorities to complete certain procedures that include finger printing and photography. The finger printing identification is the most significant aspect of the system, as it ensures that a person can enroll just once in the database. The smart card, which costs Dhs 150, is valid for a period of two years and can be collected within 10 minutes after registration.
The electronic gate facility will be available alongside the conventional manually operated gates, giving passengers an option to use either of the gates. Those using the smart cards will get detailed instructions at every step. The Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department has taken steps to ensure that the whole system is very user friendly and quick.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
