GDRFA delegation highlights smart border infrastructure and cross-industry cooperation during IATA gathering and Control Authorities Working Group sessions
DUBAI — Dubai presented its border facilitation and digital travel framework to international aviation leaders at a global industry symposium in Macau, China, demonstrating how integrated biometric and smart systems are cutting airport processing times while reinforcing security.
A delegation from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) took part in the two-day event, organized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on October 28 and 29. The forum brought together government representatives, commercial airlines, and border control authorities to discuss modernizing passenger clearance through digital infrastructure.
The Dubai delegation outlined operational models deployed across the emirate’s international terminals, focusing on proactive identity verification, smart gates, and automated passenger flows designed to eliminate physical bottlenecks without compromising border vigilance.
Major General Talal Ahmad Al Shanqiti, Assistant Director-General for Airport Affairs at GDRFA Dubai, said the emirate’s participation was geared toward solving shared industry bottlenecks alongside global peers.
“The future of aviation hinges on closer operational coordination between border control agencies, commercial carriers, and international stakeholders,” Major General Al Shanqiti said. “Addressing the growing volume of global travellers requires innovative mechanisms that balance rigorous border security with rapid, reliable processing and a high-quality passenger journey.”
He added that while GDRFA shared operational frameworks built in Dubai, the agency also seeks to integrate best practices from other jurisdictions to continually elevate the emirate’s airport operations.
Alongside the broader symposium agenda, the delegation participated in routine sessions of the Control Authorities Working Group (CAWG). The working group functions as a collaborative technical platform where border authorities, immigration agencies, and airlines review standard operating procedures, assess shared operational challenges, and streamline cross-border procedures.
Delegates examined multiple technical working papers and strategic recommendations submitted to IATA, concentrating on regulatory harmonization, passenger data exchange, and digital transformation at international border points.
Major General Al Shanqiti was accompanied by Major Hashim Abdulrazzaq Al Hashimi, Director of Institutional Operations, and Captain Abdullah Ali Al Kamali, Head of Security Leadership and Proactiveness at GDRFA’s Smart Command and Control Centre.
