Flydubai has partnered with emaratech to install AI-powered biometric smart gates at its Airport Operations Centre, streamlining immigration for crew members. The new system uses facial recognition and real-time data to enable a secure, paperless, and efficient check-in process, enhancing operational speed and crew experience.
In a strategic move to streamline operations and embrace cutting-edge technology, Flydubai has collaborated with UAE-based digital solutions provider emaratech to install biometric smart gates at its Airport Operations Centre. These state-of-the-art gates are designed to facilitate a seamless and paperless immigration process for the airline’s flight and cabin crew.
This initiative is part of Flydubai’s long-term commitment to driving innovation across its operations, enhancing efficiency, and improving the daily experience of its workforce. The newly installed biometric smart gates—six in total—are equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), facial recognition, and real-time data integration capabilities. Positioned at the airline’s internal reporting facility, these gates offer a swift and secure alternative to manual immigration checks.
A Seamless, Paperless Experience for Crew Members
Flydubai’s pilots and cabin crew, who check in at the Airport Operations Centre before each flight, can now use the gates to verify their identity in seconds. With facial recognition technology at the core of the system, crew members no longer need to carry travel documents for immigration processing, dramatically reducing wait times and administrative friction.
Mohammed Hareb AlMheiri, Chief Procurement & Technology Officer at Flydubai, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating:
“We are pleased to have partnered with emaratech to implement this innovative solution for our pilots and cabin crew. We always look for opportunities to harness the latest technologies that support our growth and operational efficiencies. These biometric smart gates mark another step towards fostering a more seamless, punctual, and secure operation as we future-proof our systems.”
The biometric smart gate system is integrated with both Flydubai's internal crew management platform and immigration systems, allowing for instant verification and cross-platform communication. This real-time validation reduces delays, minimizes human error, and increases the reliability of reporting procedures during high-traffic periods.
emaratech: Leading the Digital Transformation of Border Control
The project also highlights emaratech’s growing role in shaping the future of digital travel solutions in the UAE. Known for its work in border control and identity management, emaratech designed the smart gates to meet the evolving needs of aviation stakeholders.
Thani Alzaffin, Group CEO of emaratech, noted:
“We are proud to partner with Flydubai in pioneering a next-generation, paperless immigration experience for their crew members. Our smart gates seamlessly connect with both Flydubai’s and immigration’s platforms, enabling real-time validation and a truly frictionless journey. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to smarter, faster, and more secure border control systems.”
A Vision for the Future of Travel
With a fleet of 89 aircraft and a rapidly growing network of 135+ destinations, Flydubai’s operations continue to expand in scale and complexity. Its workforce now exceeds 6,400 employees, including over 1,300 pilots and 2,500 cabin crew, making technological upgrades not just a convenience, but a necessity.
By investing in smart infrastructure and next-gen digital tools, Flydubai is setting new benchmarks in crew management and operational excellence. The successful deployment of these biometric smart gates could serve as a model for other regional and international airlines aiming to enhance efficiency and security in a digital-first era.
As both organizations look ahead, the partnership between Flydubai and emaratech is expected to evolve further, with future projects that continue to redefine the travel experience—not just for crew members, but eventually for passengers as well.
