Dubai Smart Gates Process More Than 9 Million Travellers In First Half Of 2026

Dubai’s Smart Travel ecosystem processed more than 9.4 million passengers during the first half of 2026, with more than 9 million travellers completing immigration clearance through Smart Gates, according to GDRFA Dubai figures reported on July 8. The reported figures underline Dubai’s continued investment in artificial intelligence and automated travel infrastructure as passenger flows through the emirate remain high. The Smart Gates are designed to reduce immigration waiting time and support faster movement through airport arrival and departure processes. The report said average clearance time through the system has dropped to 3.4 seconds, highlighting the operational impact of Dubai’s digital border-control model. Authorities have also advised passengers to pre-register where required to ensure smoother use of the automated gates. For Dubai, the milestone supports a broader strategy to position the emirate as one of the world’s most efficient aviation and travel hubs. The Smart Travel system forms part of a wider digital government and airport experience push, where automation, biometrics and AI-led systems are increasingly being used to manage scale without adding friction…