DUBAI: The first half of the year has been so busy for the Dubai Customs’ passenger operations department at the Dubai International Airport. Official records showed that the emirate’s oldest department has dealt with around 12 million passengers in the first six months of this year. According to a senior official, they have checked about 18 million bags coming through 39,000 flights. Ibrahim Al Kamali, director of passenger operations at the Dubai Customs, said they have also made 360 seizures of banned and prohibited goods and narcotics over the same period. “We have also processed up to 6,500 customs transactions. “We have internally developed applications and systems that have significantly helped us streamline passengers’ arrivals and departures in a record time and as accurate and secure as possible.”
The Smart Inspection System, for example, has remarkably reduced inspection time by 50 to 70 per cent, he explained. “The Kashif Inspection Smart Vehicle, the first of its kind in the world, saves clients’ time and efforts as well. “The smart customs clearance vehicle also simplifies clearance procedures for the disabled, the elderly and VIPs, amongst many other innovative services and facilitations. We also provide advanced training inspectors from different customs departments in the UAE in coordination with Dubai Customs’ training centre.” The passenger operations department is geared up to deal with the pilgrimage season. “Preparations are now in place to help pilgrims travel easily from and to Dubai airports. A meeting on this was held in the presence of a number of strategic partners of Dubai airports, including the passenger operations department, FlyDubai, Saudi Airways, Dnata, Dubai Taxi, etc. The main focus was to provide pilgrims with preferential treatment in the airport by providing dedicated gates, belts, and counters, and giving them gifts at departure,” he said.
Al Kamali pointed out that services provided are of very high quality and represent Dubai in a good way being a preferred destination for business and tourism. “There are certain procedures that were taken in the three airport terminals that help towards a smoother flow and passenger traffic without compromising the security side.” The Dubai Customs has also raised awareness about its role and responsibilities through the “Passenger guide” on its website, he said. “The guide includes all travel procedures such as which materials are permitted, which need to be disclosed and which are prohibited.”
