Long security queues could soon become a thing of the past.
Dubai: Dubai International Airport (DXB) is introducing advanced security scanners that will allow passengers to keep laptops, liquids and other items inside their hand luggage, as part of a major technology upgrade aimed at making security checks faster and more convenient.
The rollout builds on a programme first reported by Gulf News last year, when Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said the airport was testing next-generation screening technology.
Griffiths has now confirmed that the rollout is underway, with new machines being installed across DXB as Dubai Airports gradually replaces older security equipment.
“We’re reinvesting in new technology security machines, so you don’t have to take liquids or laptops out of bags,” Griffiths told reporters.
“The entire process is becoming smoother, quicker and more convenient for passengers.”
What changes?
For passengers, the biggest change is straightforward: where the new scanners are operational, travellers will no longer need to open their hand luggage and remove laptops or liquids for screening.
The advanced equipment is designed to scan the contents of bags without requiring passengers to unpack them.
In an interview with Gulf News last year, Griffiths said the new screening machines were already being installed for both hold baggage and passenger baggage. He described the trials as “very successful”, with the airport recording a “much quicker and more reliable service”.
The latest update indicates that the programme has now progressed beyond the testing phase and into wider implementation.
“Some of the machines are already in,” Griffiths said. “It’s just a gradual, ongoing programme of continuous upgrade.”
“The idea is we’ll replace all of the old technology so that every customer has the same level of convenience,” he said.
Where are they being installed?
The technology upgrade is being rolled out across multiple areas of DXB rather than being limited to a single terminal.
Griffiths said the new security equipment is being introduced alongside broader refurbishment projects across the airport, including Terminal 1 and other sections of the facility.
Some of the latest work is taking place in Concourse B, where Dubai Airports is also refurbishing the Hammerhead remote terminal.
Terminal 1 is also undergoing refurbishment, including the installation of new flooring and additional security lanes.
“In the mornings I’ll be at my desk. In the afternoon I’ll be opening bags for our customers,” Griffiths joked, referring to construction work affecting part of his office as the airport creates space for more security lanes.
Why is DXB doing this?
The security upgrade forms part of a broader strategy to handle rising passenger numbers without relying solely on major new infrastructure projects.
Griffiths has previously highlighted how DXB has significantly increased passenger capacity while continuing to operate within its existing infrastructure.
“It’s absolutely essential, because obviously we’ve grown 20 per cent in the last 10 years without any delivery of additional major infrastructure,” he said in the 2025 interview.
“So trying to make our existing infrastructure more and more efficient is a very, very important part of our growth strategy over the next few years.”
For DXB, that makes security technology a key part of improving efficiency, as even small reductions in the time passengers spend at checkpoints can have a noticeable impact on the overall airport experience.
No more airport ‘friction’?
Griffiths views the security upgrade as part of a broader transformation of the passenger journey. The long-term goal, he said, is to eliminate as many unnecessary procedures and queues as possible.
“You know, the old days of taking off your belt, removing your shoes and dealing with all that inconvenience — that’s going to be a thing of the past,” he said.
The technology is already beginning to make that future a reality at DXB.
“You’ll see when you travel, you’ll see the new machines already in and the floorings being changed here,” Griffiths said.
He said the broader shift towards advanced technology could significantly transform the airport experience.
“The way the security process will work, the way that immigration will work, it’s going to change the entire journey,” he said.
“You’ll be able to simply walk into the airport, board your flight and perhaps stop for a coffee or a burger along the way.”
Griffiths’ long-term vision is for DXB to become an airport where passengers spend less time navigating procedures and more time enjoying the overall experience.
“We are trying to take as much of the friction out of the airport process as possible,” he said. “No queues, no processes. Just getting everyone on their airplane and away in the best possible mood, thinking that was amazing.”
