AI-powered baggage scanner at Dubai Airport to eliminate removal of laptops, liquids for screening

The trials of the new advanced scanning systems began in July at Terminal 3, which is exclusively used by Emirates Airlines.

By: Express Web Desk
September 4, 2025 07:18 PM IST

3 min read

Dubai Airport to eliminate removal of laptops, liquids for screening

The technology is designed to detect and analyse items at a molecular level, which can streamline screening procedures and enhance accuracy. (Photo: Dubai Customs/ File)

Baggage screening at Dubai Airport (DXB) is set to become much more hassle-free for flyers with the introduction of new AI-powered baggage scanners.

The new system, which will be rolled out in phases, will eliminate one of the biggest headaches for passengers during airport security checks – having to remove gadgets like laptops, cameras, and liquid items like water bottles from cabin baggage to screen them separately.

Dubai Airport’s new baggage scanner

In May this year, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects roped in UK-based Smiths Detection to install advanced checkpoint screening technologies across all three terminals of DXB. These AI-powered scanners can provide high-resolution 3D images of objects inside bags, thus eliminating the need for passengers to remove items such as laptops, perfumes, creams, and liquids over 100 ml during security checks.

The introduction of this new technology will make travel easier, smoother, and stress-free. (Photo: Dubai Media Office)

Will make travel smoother

The technology is designed to detect and analyse items at a molecular level, which can streamline screening procedures and enhance accuracy. According to DXB officials, the aim is to make travel much smoother, and convenient for passengers using Dubai airport.

“The introduction of this new technology will make travel easier, smoother, and stress-free as you don’t have to take anything out of your bag,” Essa Al Shamsi, senior vice-president for terminal operations at Dubai Airports, told Khaleej Times.

Full rollout by end of 2026

The trials of the new advanced scanning systems began in July at Terminal 3, which is exclusively used by Emirates Airlines. The new system will be fully rolled out in a phased manner by the end of 2026.

Dubai Airport is the busiest Airport in the world. (Photo: Unsplash)

“We have a phased plan at the moment, which will take us till the end of 2026, as we are phasing out the existing hand baggage and hold baggage security screening systems. This will allow us to move away from the current regulations, which require removing laptops and liquids,” Al Shamsi said.

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Dubai Airport is the busiest aviation hub in the world, and it handled over 92.3 million passengers in 2024. In the first half of 2025, Dubai Airport has already seen a footfall of 46 million.

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