Imagine breezing through airport security without removing your laptop or discarding that bottle of water you just purchased — this experience is set to become reality at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
“We have a phased plan in place as we transition from the current hand baggage and hold baggage screening systems,” said Essa Al Shamsi, senior vice president for terminal operations at Dubai Airports. “This upgrade will eliminate today’s rules that require passengers to remove laptops and liquids.”
According to Emarat Al Youm, installation of the new system will be completed by May 2026.
Dubai Airports is currently testing new scanners and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that eliminate the need for passengers to remove items such as laptops, perfumes, creams, and liquids over 100ml during security checks.
The technology is designed to simplify the security process, making travel faster and stress-free, Al Shamsi told Khaleej Times.
In May 2025, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects awarded Smiths Detection the contract to roll out advanced checkpoint screening systems across all three DXB terminals. These scanners use high-resolution 3D imaging, enabling passengers to keep electronics and liquids inside their bags. The result: reduced waiting times, greater convenience, and enhanced security.
“With this system, travellers won’t have to take anything out of their bags, which will make the journey much smoother and more convenient,” Al Shamsi said.
DXB continues to experience record-breaking passenger traffic. The airport handled 46 million passengers in the first half of 2025, a 2.3% rise compared to last year, making it the busiest first half in its history. The second quarter alone saw 22.5 million travellers, up 3.1% year-on-year, with April marking the busiest month ever recorded at the airport.
This surge underscores the need for smarter, more efficient solutions. To manage growth, Dubai Airports is not only trialling the new scanners at Terminal 3 — the hub of Emirates Airlines — but is also planning large-scale infrastructure changes. Approximately 140 handheld machines will be replaced, a task requiring significant upgrades.
Beyond passenger screening, Dubai Airports is also testing AI-powered systems aimed at reducing aircraft turnaround times and boosting operational efficiency.
