New 3D screening technology is being installed across terminals, allowing travelers to pass through checkpoints without unpacking carry-on bags.
DUBAI — Travelers passing through Dubai International Airport (DXB) are experiencing significantly faster security checks as the hub accelerates the deployment of next-generation scanners across its terminals. The upgrade eliminates the long-standing requirement for passengers to remove laptops, electronics, and liquids from their hand luggage during screening.
The ongoing rollout, confirmed by Dubai Airports Chief Executive Officer Paul Griffiths, forms part of a comprehensive refurbishment program designed to streamline passenger flow and eliminate airport queues without expanding the facility’s physical footprint.
“We’re reinvesting in new technology security machines, so you don’t have to take liquids or laptops out of bags,” Griffiths said. “The whole process is getting slicker, quicker, faster, and more convenient.”
The state-of-the-art scanners utilize computed tomography (CT) technology to generate high-resolution 3D images of carry-on contents. This allows security personnel to inspect items from multiple angles and detect potential threats without requiring travelers to unpack their bags.
Installation of the new equipment is currently underway across key areas of the airport, including Terminal 1 and Concourse B, where work is also taking place at the Hammerhead remote facility. In Terminal 1, new flooring and expanded security lanes are being added to accommodate the high-throughput systems.
The technological shift is central to DXB’s strategy to handle rising passenger volumes efficiently. Over the past decade, the airport has increased its passenger capacity by 20 percent without adding major infrastructure, relying instead on process optimization and automation.
Griffiths noted that the initiative extends beyond baggage checks, aligning with broader efforts to transform immigration and departure procedures into a seamless journey.
“The old days of take your belts off, take your shoes off, and all that sort of intrusion—that’s going to be a thing of the past,” Griffiths said. “We are trying to take all of the friction out of the airport process as possible. No queues, no processes. Just getting everyone on their airplane.”
The installation program will proceed in phases until the legacy security equipment across all DXB terminals is fully replaced.
