In preparation to receive 3 million passengers.. Dubai Customs increases its readiness for the summer season and reduces bag inspection time to 7 seconds
DUBAI, July 10, 2018 (WAM) – Dubai Customs has increased its operational readiness in preparation for the peak of the summer travel season, coinciding with expectations that about 3 million passengers will pass through Dubai airports during the first half of this July. It has succeeded in reducing the time for checking bags in the manual inspection area in the arrival halls to only 7 seconds to pass through the screening devices, which contributes to reducing waiting times and accelerating the movement of passengers while maintaining the highest levels of customs accuracy and security.
These preparations came through an integrated operational plan, and following a series of coordination meetings with strategic partners at Dubai airports, with the aim of reviewing plans, raising the level of readiness, and ensuring the smooth flow of passenger traffic during the peak season, as well as providing a fast and safe travel experience.
These efforts support the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), and enhance Dubai’s competitiveness as one of the best global destinations for tourism and business and the most visited city in the world, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him.
Dubai Customs operates an advanced system to ensure the continuity of efficient operations during peak times and to keep pace with the continuous growth in the number of visitors. It includes 19 advanced luggage inspection devices, and 77 detection and inspection devices distributed throughout the various lounges and ports of Dubai airports, which enhances capacity, speeds up inspection procedures, and maintains the highest standards of security and safety.
The department continues to enhance travelers’ awareness through a guide that explains the materials authorized for entry into the country and the conditions for customs exemptions. The guide allows the entry of gifts of a personal nature whose value does not exceed 3,000 dirhams without customs duties, and in limited quantities not designated for commercial purposes, provided that the traveler is not one of those working in the trade of the materials in his possession, and customs duties are collected on excess quantities or values, in addition to the fees imposed on baggage that exceeds the permissible limits.
As part of developing the services provided, Dubai Customs is working in cooperation with Dubai Airports and the relevant authorities to implement a project to establish specialized rooms for examining companion animals in Dubai Airports Terminals (1, 2 and 3), to provide an environment equipped to conduct veterinary examinations efficiently and quickly, and to improve the services provided to arriving and departing travelers accompanied by their animals.
Khaled Ahmed, Director of the Passenger Operations Department at Dubai Customs, confirmed that preparations for the summer travel season began early by preparing integrated operational plans in coordination with strategic partners, to accommodate the expected increase and ensure the flow of movement in all halls without affecting the speed of procedures or the quality of services. He said that the department continues to invest in developing its operational structure, employing the latest smart technologies, and raising the efficiency of its field staff to keep pace with the rapid growth in travel traffic, and provide proactive services that improve the traveler’s experience and maintain the highest levels of customs security.
Ahmed explained that reaching 7 seconds in completing bag inspection procedures in the manual inspection area reflects the efficiency of the modern systems and devices approved by Dubai Customs, stressing that speeding up procedures enhances inspection efficiency and provides a fast and smooth experience.
He pointed out that the project to establish examination rooms for companion animals comes as part of ongoing efforts to develop services and meet the needs of travelers in accordance with international best practices, indicating that work is underway with partners to complete the technical and regulatory requirements to launch the project.
He concluded by stressing that Dubai Customs will continue to implement development initiatives and projects that improve the traveler’s experience, support the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), and consolidate the emirate’s position as a global destination for tourism and business and a leading model in innovation, quality of government services, and ease of travel.
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