Authorities in Pakistan are set to enhance the travel experience by installing new smart gates at the country's key airports. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the regulatory body, has called for bids from companies to install e-gates at major airports in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. This move follows the implementation of similar systems at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports, aiming to streamline passenger travel. The initiative targets the nearly 2 million Pakistani expatriates in the Emirates, aiming to make their travel more convenient.
The project is designed as a self-service immigration system to reduce costs and boost passenger satisfaction. These smart gates, to be installed at arrival and departure points, will use advanced technologies to verify passenger identities. Given the rising passenger numbers and recent airport expansions, the CAA aims to modernize its border control solutions to facilitate a smoother immigration process while enhancing security measures.
The UAE-Pakistan air corridor is one of the most active routes, with over 1.7 million Pakistanis residing in the UAE, making up 17% of its population. Pakistanis represent the second-largest group of foreign workers in the UAE, following Indians. In 2023, over 230,000 Pakistanis relocated to the UAE seeking better opportunities. The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE) and Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) reported a 4% increase in overseas workers, totaling 862,625 in 2023.
The CAA highlighted that this initiative will ease the burden on manned immigration counters and introduce a standardized automated immigration process, including document verification and personal authentication, to uphold border security. The scope of services involves providing, installing, integrating, testing, and commissioning e-Gate systems, followed by their operation and maintenance. Interested local and international companies have been invited to submit their bids by August 13, 2024.
UAE's leading airlines such as Emirates, Flydubai, Etihad, and Air Arabia serve all major destinations in Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Multan. Notably, Flydubai expanded its routes to include Islamabad and Lahore starting July 1.
