Dubai Airports to Launch Fully Frictionless Travel Experience

Dubai Airports is introducing major upgrades designed to create a seamless, frictionless travel experience for passengers. According to CEO Paul Griffiths, the focus is on removing traditional pain points such as queues, check-in counters, and time-consuming security steps. The aim is to make the entire journey faster, smoother, and more efficient by using advanced technology at every stage.

Griffiths explained at the Dubai Airshow 2025 that passengers should no longer have to wait in long lines, attach paper tags to their bags, or remove items like shoes and belts during security checks. With modern screening systems and smart automation, these outdated procedures can be eliminated. Dubai Airports has already shifted from manual immigration checks to facial recognition systems, allowing travelers to move through passport control in seconds. Security teams are now testing solutions that make screening quicker and less intrusive, further reducing delays.

For passengers carrying only hand luggage, the check-in step will eventually disappear entirely. This means travelers will be able to walk into the airport and proceed directly to their gate without stopping at a counter or kiosk. Griffiths said that every new upgrade is designed to respect passengers’ time and improve the airport’s efficiency. By speeding up passenger flow, Dubai can accommodate up to four times more travelers without expanding physical infrastructure.

The upcoming move from Dubai International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport in 2032 is expected to be the largest airport transition ever attempted. Dubai International is projected to surpass 100 million passengers within two years and reach 114 million by 2031. Al Maktoum Airport will open with a capacity of 150 million passengers and eventually expand to 260 million by 2057, positioning it to become the biggest airport in the world.