Emirates Airline launches safer contactless passenger journey and world’s first dedicated airside cargo hub for Covid vaccine.
The Airline recently launched a new contactless biometric experience for passengers at Dubai International Airport and established the world’s first airside cargo hub for a Covid-19 vaccine as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Using a combinations of facial and iris recognition, passengers can now check in for their flight, clear immigration and board flights without having to queue and show documentation at every stage. The process is designed to be more hygienic as it minimizes human interaction.
“It is more vital than before to make use of technology and implement products, and introduce processes that focuses not only on fast tracking customers, but more importantly on health and safety during their travel journey,” said Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ COO.
The biometric touchpoints are currently installed at select First, Business and Economy Class check-in desks in Terminal 3 at DXB; immigration gates including a ‘smart tunnel’; Emirates’ premium lounge entrance at concourse B as well select boarding gates. Additional units will be installed at each touchpoint in the future.
The so-called smart tunnel allows passengers to walk through a tunnel and are cleared by immigration authorities without human intervention or the need for a physical passport stamp.
Emirates’ cargo arm meanwhile, has taken new measures to handle the logistical complexities of distributing a potential Covid-19 vaccine globally.
Emirates SkyCargo launched the first dedicated airside cargo hub for the vaccine and will re-open Emirates SkyCentral DWC cargo terminal in Dubai South to serve as an anchor hub for cold chain storage and distribution of the vaccine.
Emirates SkyCargo’s vaccine hub in Dubai South will be the largest dedicated airside facility in the world for Covid-19 vaccines. The Dubai hub will allow the air cargo carrier to fly in vaccines from manufacturing sites globally, store and prepare shipments for regional and global distribution.
“Dubai is well positioned to serve as a gateway and distribution hub for Covid-19 vaccines to the rest of the world,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates’ chief executive.
“We have the infrastructure and logistics connections and a geographic location that puts markets representing more than two-thirds of the world’s population within an 8-hour flying radius. Setting up a dedicated airside hub for Covid-19 vaccines is a keystone project harnessing our network, reach and competencies to positively impact the lives of people around the world.”
Emirates SkyCentral DWC has over 4,000 square metres of temperature controlled GDP-certified dedicated pharma storage area allowing for large scale storage and distribution of the potential Covid-19 vaccines. Overall, it is estimated that the facility can hold around 10 million vials of vaccine at a 2-8 degrees Celsius temperature range at any one point of time.
The airline’s freight arm has also set up a rapid response team to coordinate requests from the various partners involved in the international vaccine distribution ecosystem and to streamline the carrier’s response to vaccine transportation requests.
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