Dubai International Airport (DXB) is set to make a revolutionary shift, with an ambitious plan to leverage artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology to manage 120 million passengers per year. At Arabian Travel Market 2025, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths revealed the vision, setting DXB up not only as an aviation hub but a smart city gateway.
Griffiths highlighted that DXB’s future is minimizing friction and redefining passenger experience. By facial recognition facilitating quicker, touchless check-ins and AI optimizing passenger flow, the airport is looking to increase efficiency and comfort as it prepares to handle a huge spike in world travel demand.
He also intimated at a wider vision than aviation. Dubai International will transform into a smart masterplan of real estate — combining retail, hospitality, logistics, and residential areas around the airport to build an ecosystem for travelers and residents to live and breathe, said Griffiths.
This move aligns with Dubai’s larger push toward smart infrastructure and AI-driven growth. As the city continues to invest in future-ready technologies, DXB’s transformation stands as a symbol of innovation, sustainability, and strategic expansion on a global scale.
