Abu Dhabi International Airport to introduce ‘smart travel’ features

The Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) is trialling a new ‘Smart Travel’ system to shorten queues and streamline processes throughout the airport.

The system developed by Abu Dhabi Airports in partnership with ConvergentAI, employs big data, AI, and the modelling and assessment of passenger traffic to optimise processes across AUH from check-in and immigration counter staffing to passenger arrival and departure times.

As a part of the trial, select passengers travelling with Etihad Airways will be informed of the optimal time for them to arrive at AUH. By staggering passenger arrivals, the new system will mitigate crowding, facilitate social distancing and shorten queues.

Overtime, as the AI-powered system continues to operate, it will become smarter and further streamline passenger journeys through the airport.

Shareef Al Hashmi, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “Innovation and digitalisation are key to the achievement of our vision of becoming the world’s leading airports group, and I am proud of the exceptional work our teams have performed over the past year as we transform our operations and strive to deliver a truly superior and seamless passenger experience. The enhancement of Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Smart Travel system is a significant step in our journey of continuous improvement and innovation as we shape the future airport experience.”

“Minimising queuing at airports is key to safeguarding passenger health and wellbeing and streamlining operations, which is why we are working with our airline partners and ConvergentAI to precisely model our passengers’ journeys and improve them at every step,” said John Barton, chief information officer.

“By enabling passengers to quickly and seamlessly transition through check-in, immigration and boarding, we are providing them with more time to enjoy everything Abu Dhabi International Airport has to offer, from first-rate dining to superior duty-free offerings,” added Barton.

The introduction of AI technology at AUH is also benefiting airlines, retailers, and employees working at there in a variety of ways. Through using AI to monitor real-time imagery of aircraft, special programmes are being developed to guide on-ground teams to complete certain actions, such as the unloading of luggage or the refuelling of an aircraft at optimal times.

AUH is also exploring the integration of AI into its safety and security systems, enabling the automated monitoring of camera feeds of the airport apron. AI equipped systems can be taught to identify irregular activity and notify the relevant teams to address potential issues.

UAE national airline Etihad Airways said in April that it would partner with Australian company Elenium Automation to roll out a new early-warning system which uses self-service devices at Abu Dhabi airport.

The system will help identify medically at-risk travellers, including passengers who are possibly in the early stages of having contracted the Covid-19 virus too.

Read: Etihad’s early-warning system at Abu Dhabi airport to identify medically at-risk travellers