Dubai Customs’ Passenger Operations Department at Dubai International Airport dealt with around 12 million passengers and checked about 18 million luggage items coming through 39,000 flights during the first half of 2017.

A total of 360 seizures and 6,500 customs transactions were recorded.

Ibrahim Al Kamali, director of passenger operations at Dubai Customs pointed out that Dubai Customs has made travel an easy hassle-free experience through the application of smart technologies.

Dubai Customs’ internally developed applications and systems have helped streamline passengers’ arrivals and departures.

“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, 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,” Al Kamali said.  

The Passenger Operations department is all geared up to deal with the pilgrimage season. Preparations are now in place to help pilgrims travel easily from, into 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.

A number of issues were discussed in the meeting but a focus was given to providing pilgrims with preferential treatment in the airport by, for example, dedicating gates and belts for them, and giving them gifts at departure.

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.

Parallel to this, Dubai Customs raises awareness about its role and responsibilities through its “Passenger Guide” on its website. The guide includes all travel procedures such as which materials are permitted, which need to be disclosed and which are prohibited. – TradeArabia News Service