Dubai Police is increasing the use of AI and smart technologies across airport security operations to support passenger screening, baggage monitoring and camera analysis. The move affects travellers using Dubai’s airports and the teams responsible for aviation security. It comes as Dubai airports handled 95.2 million passenger journeys and more than 86.75 million pieces of baggage in 2025.
- Location: Dubai airports
- Organisation: Dubai Police, General Department of Airport Security
- Status: AI and smart security systems are being expanded
- Who is affected: Passengers, airport security teams and aviation operators
- Business impact: Supports faster procedures and security operations as traffic grows
- What’s next: Further development of AI, smart systems, staff training and airport security projects
Dubai Police is expanding AI airport security across the emirate, with technology being used to support passenger screening, identify unattended baggage and analyse camera feeds. The update was highlighted during an annual inspection of the General Department of Airport Security by Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police. The move comes as Dubai’s airports continue to handle record passenger volumes, making technology increasingly important for security monitoring and passenger flows.
How is Dubai using AI at airport security?
Dubai Police said advanced AI systems are being used in several parts of airport security operations.
These include support for passenger screening, detecting and managing unattended baggage, and analysing visual information from airport cameras.
The technology is designed to support security personnel rather than replace them. According to Dubai Police, wider AI adoption can help improve operational efficiency, speed up procedures, support decision-making and strengthen proactive aviation security.
The latest inspection also included a review of airport operations rooms, smart employee gates and systems used to coordinate security activities and manage passenger flows.
Dubai Police has not publicly detailed the specific AI models or algorithms being used in each operation. The latest announcement therefore does not mean that every security decision at Dubai airports is made automatically by AI.
Why does Dubai need more airport security technology?
The scale of Dubai’s aviation traffic is a major factor.
Dubai International Airport, or DXB, handled 95.2 million passengers in 2025, according to Dubai Airports. The airport also processed more than 86.75 million pieces of baggage during the year.
Dubai Airports expects passenger traffic to approach 99.5 million in 2026, putting further pressure on airport infrastructure and operations.
For Dubai Police, this means security systems need to work alongside growing passenger and baggage volumes while maintaining established aviation security standards.
The General Department of Airport Security reported full compliance with national and international civil aviation security standards for the seventh consecutive year, following internal and external audits.
What other smart security systems are used at Dubai airports?
AI is part of a wider shift towards digital and biometric airport processing in Dubai.
GDRFA Dubai has already introduced biometric technology at smart gates, using facial and iris recognition to support passport-control procedures. These systems allow eligible travellers to move through immigration without relying entirely on traditional document checks.
Dubai is also testing AI-supported baggage screening technology. In 2025, Dubai Airports said it was testing systems that could analyse the contents of hand luggage and potentially reduce the need for passengers to remove items such as laptops and certain liquids during security checks.
That technology was described as a trial, so passengers should not assume that current security procedures have changed across all DXB checkpoints.
Smart security is also being extended to air cargo. In December 2025, dnata and Dubai Police opened a smart cargo screening hub at DXB, allowing police officers to remotely monitor and operate multiple X-ray screening machines from a centralised control room.
How is Dubai Police preparing airport security staff?
Technology remains only one part of Dubai’s airport security plans.
Dubai Police said 4,542 employees took part in specialised training and development programmes during 2025.
The authority is also working on nine development projects aimed at improving the passenger journey and streamlining procedures from airport entry through departure.
During the latest inspection, the General Department of Airport Security reported that it had identified and addressed 27 improvement opportunities, achieving a 100% completion rate.
These measures show that Dubai’s approach combines new technology with staff training, operational improvements and ongoing security audits.
What does this mean for Dubai’s future airports?
The expansion of AI at existing airports also comes as Dubai prepares for the next stage of its aviation growth.
Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central is being developed as a major future aviation hub. Dubai Airports has said the first phase is planned to support 150 million passengers a year, with technology playing a central role in how the airport handles passengers, baggage and other processes.
That includes plans for more automated and seamless journeys, with technologies such as facial recognition expected to form part of the future airport experience.
For passengers, the longer-term direction is clear: more airport processes are expected to become digitally supported, while security teams continue to oversee operations.
How the changes affect travellers
For people travelling through Dubai, the expansion could mean more technology working behind the scenes during security and airport processing.
Passengers may not notice every AI-supported system, particularly where the technology is used for camera analysis, baggage monitoring or operational decision-making.
The main focus is to help Dubai Police manage growing passenger volumes while maintaining security standards and keeping airport procedures moving efficiently.
For airlines, airport operators and businesses connected to tourism, efficient security operations also matter because Dubai’s aviation sector supports a large flow of international visitors and connecting passengers.
As passenger numbers continue to grow, Dubai Police is expected to continue investing in smart systems, staff development and new security projects.
FAQs
Is Dubai using AI for airport security?
Yes. Dubai Police says AI is being used to support passenger screening, unattended baggage detection and camera analysis across airport security operations.
How many passengers travelled through Dubai airports in 2025?
Dubai airports handled 95.2 million passenger journeys in 2025, while more than 86.75 million pieces of baggage were processed.
Does AI replace airport security officers in Dubai?
No. Dubai Police describes AI as a technology that supports security teams, decision-making, monitoring and operational efficiency.
Is Dubai testing AI for baggage screening?
Yes. Dubai Airports has previously tested AI-supported systems designed to analyse hand luggage. The technology was reported as a trial and does not mean every DXB security checkpoint currently follows the same process.
Will Dubai airports use more AI in the future?
Dubai Police has said it will continue developing its airport security ecosystem and adopting smart and AI technologies. Dubai’s wider airport expansion plans also place significant emphasis on technology and automated passenger processes.
Dubai Police is expanding AI-supported security as passenger and baggage volumes continue to increase across the emirate’s airports. The technology is being used across areas including screening, baggage monitoring and camera analysis, alongside staff training, smart gates and wider airport security projects.
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