DUBAI: Millions of travellers are benefiting from streamlined customs services at Dubai International Airport, officials said on Wednesday. Newly compiled statistics recorded by Dubai Customs Passenger Operations Department at Dubai International Airport reveal that Terminals 1, 2 and 3 processed more than 12 million passengers in the first half of this year. In addition, roughly 18 million luggage items transited through the airport from 39,000 flights during the first half of 2017.
Dubai Customs also reported 360 seizures and 6,500 customs transactions in the same period. Ebrahim Al Kamali, director of Passenger operations at Dubai Customs, said travel through Dubai airport is now an easy hassle-free experience through smart technologies such as electronic passport gates. “The Smart Inspection System, for example, reduces inspection time by 50 per cent to 70 per cent. Al Kashif Inspection Smart Vehicle, the first of its kind in the world, saves clients’ time and efforts. Another Dubai Customs’ innovation, the smart customs clearance vehicle, simplifies and expedites clearance procedures for the disabled, the elderly and VIPs, among many other innovative services and facilities. We also provide advanced training inspectors from different customs departments in the UAE in coordination with Dubai Customs’ training centre,” Al Kamali said. The Passenger Operations department, meanwhile, is geared up to handle the influx of passengers for the upcoming pilgrimage season. Preparations are now in place to help pilgrims travel easily from, into and to Dubai airports, he said.
