Seamless baggage delivery
At the forefront is a Smart Baggage Management solution, where travellers’ luggage is automatically processed and delivered directly to their respective resorts, eliminating the need for visitors to navigate traditional baggage reclaim carousels.
For departures, the convenience begins even before guests reach the airport. Remote check-in stations at their luxury hotels and resorts allow them to effortlessly confirm their bags, which are then handled as a “back-of-house” service by the airport staff. Alabdan anticipates that 85 per cent of departing passengers will utilise this remote check-in process.
Passenger pods
The Main Terminal Building (MTB), the airport’s central hub, has five distinct “pods” or processors. Each of these pods offers integrated security, immigration, and customs services. Alabdan said this decentralised approach is a key differentiator from conventional airports.
“Each of these pods would have security, immigration and customs. So, it is not centralised. Then you do go to your gate. No, you are already at the gate right off the bat.” Once cleared through their designated pod, passengers are immediately at their gate, often with direct views of their aircraft from the curbside, minimising walking and wait times. Looking ahead, plans are already in motion to implement less intrusive security screening processes, potentially incorporating advanced technologies like facial recognition and “security tunnels” where passengers are screened without needing to stop.
Dhanusha is a Chief Reporter at Gulf News in Dubai, with her finger firmly on the pulse of UAE, regional, and global aviation. She dives deep into how airlines and airports operate, expand, and embrace the latest tech.
Known for her sharp eye for detail, Dhanusha makes complex topics like new aircraft, evolving travel trends, and aviation regulations easy to grasp. Lately, she’s especially fascinated by the world of eVTOLs and flying cars.
With nearly two decades in journalism, Dhanusha’s covered a wide range, from health and education to the pandemic, local transport, and technology. When she’s not tracking what’s happening in the skies, she enjoys exploring social media trends, tech innovations, and anything that sparks reader curiosity. Outside of work, you’ll find her immersed in electronic dance music, pop culture, movies, and video games.
