77 baggage-screening machines support Dubai’s air entry points amid travel surge.
Dubai Customs has rolled out a comprehensive operational plan to handle the influx of residents and international visitors returning after the summer break.
The plan includes round-the-clock staffing, advanced screening technology and digital customs declaration tools, alongside expanded field and operational teams to speed up clearance procedures and keep passenger flows moving efficiently.
Authorities said the measures are designed to help Dubai manage periods of heavy travel while maintaining strong customs security and community protection standards.
The plan includes increasing staffing levels in arrival halls, with personnel deployed flexibly according to flight schedules and peak travel periods. Dubai Customs is also reinforcing high-traffic areas and improving the technical performance of its baggage-screening and inspection equipment to help manage passenger flows efficiently.
These measures are designed to help customs teams manage passenger and baggage flows efficiently, reducing the time between arrival and completion of customs procedures.
Customs teams operate around the clock at Dubai’s air entry points, supported by advanced screening infrastructure that includes 77 baggage-screening machines. Of these, 58 are used for checked and oversized baggage, while 19 handle carry-on luggage, alongside other inspection equipment.
The system helps speed up baggage screening while improving detection accuracy. It works alongside the expertise of customs inspectors, who assess potential risk indicators and direct inspections where necessary.
The approach aims to strike a balance between faster passenger processing and strict customs controls.
Smart technology shortens the arrival process
Dubai Customs is also using digital services to streamline the arrival experience. One of these is its smart iDeclare service, which works across various smart devices and allows passengers to declare personal belongings and accompanying gifts before reaching the airport.
The service can cut the time required to complete customs procedures through the red channel from around 45 minutes to less than five minutes. This gives passengers a faster arrival experience while reducing pressure on customs service points during peak travel periods.
Dubai Customs’ role during the back-to-Dubai season extends beyond managing arrivals and customs procedures. As a strategic partner within oneDXB, the organisation is also taking part in the “Back to Dubai” celebration organised by Dubai Airports to welcome returning residents and families as the new school year begins.
The initiative adds a more personal and welcoming element to the focus on operational efficiency, helping turn the arrival experience into one that reflects Dubai’s hospitality and spirit.
The approach brings together fast customs processing and a warm welcome, while strengthening coordination among the different entities operating at Dubai’s airports. The aim is to ensure that the arrival experience matches the high standard of services associated with Dubai as a global destination for living, working and tourism.
Planning ahead for peak travel
Khalid Ahmed, Director of Passenger Operations at Dubai Customs, said preparations for the return-season rush begin well in advance, with officials analysing flight schedules and expected passenger volumes. This allows personnel and operational resources to be deployed to the busiest areas when they are needed most.
“Our plan is built around round-the-clock operations, the optimal use of screening equipment and advanced technologies, and the expertise of our inspectors,” he said. “This ensures we can accommodate the increase in arriving passengers while maintaining fast procedures and high-quality service.”
He added that operational efficiency during peak periods is not measured simply by the number of passengers processed, but also by how smoothly travellers can complete their journey while maintaining border security and protecting the community.
Dubai Customs therefore continues to invest in inspector expertise, digital services, data analysis and risk-based inspections to make checks more targeted and effective.
“Our goal is for every arriving passenger to experience the level of service Dubai is known for from the moment they land,” Ahmed said.
Ahmed stressed that continuous coordination with Dubai Airports, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, Dubai Police, Emirates, flydubai and other airport partners is central to managing peak travel periods.
He said this integrated approach allows authorities to respond flexibly to changes in flight volumes while coordinating the efforts of different stakeholders to provide an arrival experience befitting Dubai’s global standing.
The measures support Dubai’s efforts to build a travel experience centred on speed, efficiency and digital services. The emirate’s airports remain major gateways connecting Dubai with the rest of the world and handle millions of travellers each year.
They also reflect Dubai Customs’ continued investment in technology, skilled personnel and strategic partnerships to keep pace with sustained growth in international travel. The efforts support the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and aim to strengthen Dubai’s competitiveness as a leading global destination for living, working and tourism.
