UAE Unites Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman Unveil Game-Changing Technologies That Will Leave the World in Awe!

Published on December 6, 2025

The Gulf Co‑operation Council (GCC) countries are embarking on a major transformation of their airports. Governments and airport authorities across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait are rolling out new technologies to enhance efficiency, sustainability and passenger experience. By 2026 and beyond, travellers will encounter innovations ranging from electric air‑taxis and smart baggage screening to facial‑recognition e‑gates, a one‑stop travel system and terminals designed around net‑zero goals. This article summarises official government and airport announcements about technologies scheduled to shape travel from 2026 onward.

United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi – Vertiports and eVTOL Air‑Taxi Network

Abu Dhabi Airports has been mandated to build a network of vertiports to support electric vertical take‑off and landing (eVTOL) air taxis. A government announcement in 2024 detailed plans for more than ten public vertiports at strategic sites across Abu Dhabi, with Zayed International Airport and Al Bateen Executive Airport as initial locations[1]. The electric aircraft will carry up to four passengers and are quieter and greener than helicopters[2]. Abu Dhabi Airports’ chief executive said the first eVTOL passenger flights are targeted for 2026, and the project is being developed with Skyports Infrastructure and regulated by the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority[1]. By the late 2020s, these air taxis are expected to provide rapid links between airports and city centres, reducing road congestion.

Dubai – Smart Security and AI‑Driven Operations

Dubai International Airport is modernising security with 3D computed‑tomography baggage scanners. According to Dubai Airports’ chief operating officer, the scanners will be deployed across all terminals by May 2026 and will allow passengers to keep laptops and liquids in their bags while still producing detailed 3D images[3]. The airport is also introducing artificial‑intelligence (AI) systems that predict passenger flows 24 hours in advance, enabling staff to be reallocated to busy areas[3]. Another innovation is the AI‑powered “red carpet” immigration corridor. Described as the world’s first AI passenger corridor, the lane lets travellers walk through immigration without presenting documents; it verifies identity via AI, processes up to ten travellers at once and reduces clearance time to a few seconds[4]. The new corridor was unveiled in 2025 and is planned for roll‑out across terminals ahead of 2026.

GCC One‑Stop Travel System and Schengen‑Style Visa

GCC interior ministries have agreed to a one‑stop travel system that will unify immigration and security checks. The first phase will be piloted on UAE–Bahrain routes from December 2025[5]. Under the scheme, Gulf citizens will complete immigration and security at their departure airport and then deplane in the destination country without further formalities[6]. Officials note that the system focuses on Gulf nationals and aims to make flying across the region “as simple as travelling between cities in the same country”[7]. After evaluation, it will be expanded to all six GCC states[8]. Complementary to this is the unified GCC tourist visa, which will allow international visitors to travel across all six countries. UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said the pilot will launch in late 2025 and will enhance the Gulf’s appeal as a single tourism destination[9]. Full implementation is scheduled for a later stage[10].

Saudi Arabia

Passenger‑Flow Management and Smart Airports

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is deploying what it calls the world’s largest passenger‑flow management system. A 2024 announcement explained that LiDAR sensors and AI‑powered analytics are being rolled out across 27 airports. The Veovo Queue and Flow Management system tracks passenger movement, dwell times and queuing patterns, providing real‑time data so operators can proactively mitigate bottlenecks[11]. GACA’s Abdulaziz Aldahmash said the initiative allows stakeholders to monitor operations and optimise resources, improving passenger experience and fairness[11]. The technology is already in place at Jeddah and Riyadh airports and will be expanded to the entire network, supporting the kingdom’s vision of handling 330 million passengers annually by 2030.

Red Sea International Airport – Digital Departure Control and Baggage Tracking

Saudi Arabia’s luxury Red Sea International Airport (RSI) is partnering with SITA to implement digital travel solutions. The December 2024 press release notes that SITA Flex and Maestro will enable passengers to check in and print boarding passes via mobile devices, while the SITA Bag Manager will provide real‑time baggage tracking[12]. Airport management systems will optimise resource allocation, and digital flight information displays will keep travellers informed[12]. RSI’s guest experience chief said the solutions would offer a seamless and sustainable journey when the airport’s main terminal opens in 2025[12]. These systems will remain central to operations in 2026 and beyond as the Red Sea tourism megaproject expands.

Qatar

Hamad International Airport – Virtual Tower

In February 2025, Hamad International Airport and the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) launched the region’s first virtual air‑traffic control tower (vTWR). Developed by Searidge Technologies, ADB Safegate and NATS, the system combines ultra‑high‑definition 360° video with AI to provide controllers with a comprehensive view of the airfield[13]. Searidge’s “Aimee” AI engine detects potential conflicts and improves situational awareness, enabling safe and efficient operations even when direct line‑of‑sight is obstructed[13]. QCAA official Eissa Al‑Meabid noted that adopting the vTWR is part of Qatar’s effort to enhance safety and operational excellence[13]. The digital tower is expected to support the airport’s expansion and will continue to operate beyond 2026.

Oman

Wi‑Fi 7 and Facial‑Recognition e‑Gates

Oman Airports announced in November 2025 that it had become the world’s first airport operator to implement Wi‑Fi 7 across all facilities. The upgrade, delivered with Huawei, provides higher speeds, greater capacity and low latency; it is intended to support biometric systems, e‑gates and identity verification platforms[14]. The company emphasised that the high‑bandwidth network prepares Omani airports for the GCC’s upcoming one‑stop travel system[14]. Muscat International Airport also introduced facial‑recognition e‑gates for citizens and residents in November 2024. Travellers scan their ID cards and have their faces recognised by cameras, enabling them to pass immigration quickly without presenting passports[15]. Oman Airports said the system reduces queues and is more advanced than previous fingerprint‑based gates[15]. These technologies will be central to the passenger experience in 2026.

Bahrain

Advanced ICT Infrastructure and Self‑Bag Drop

Bahrain International Airport (BIA) opened a new terminal in 2021 with self‑bag‑drop stations, biometric e‑gates, and integrated ICT systems. An official news release highlights that the terminal incorporates a self‑bag‑drop system that reduces queues and labour costs, while staff are available to assist passengers[16]. BIA’s acting vice president of ICT noted that the new ICT infrastructure makes the airport one of the most advanced in the region and provides real‑time connectivity for partners and passengers[17]. The terminal features 27 ICT systems, 1,125 km of fibre‑optic cable, 4,000 surveillance cameras, 440 flight‑information screens and biometric e‑gates that verify identities using facial recognition[18]. Though inaugurated before 2026, these systems position BIA to adopt the GCC one‑stop model and other future technologies.

Renewed Partnership with Thales

To maintain secure operations, Bahrain Airport Company renewed its partnership with Thales at Dubai Airshow 2025. Thales will continue supporting the airport’s integrated security systems, including cameras, access control and public‑address systems[19]. BIA officials said the technology uses video analytics to identify persons of interest and coordinates digital and physical security measures, ensuring reliability and future‑ready operations[20]. The partnership underscores Bahrain’s commitment to keeping the airport’s digital infrastructure up to date as passenger volumes grow through 2026 and beyond.

Kuwait

Terminal 2 – Sustainable Megaproject

Kuwait is building a 700,000 m² Terminal 2 at Kuwait International Airport, designed by Foster + Partners. The Central Agency for Public Tenders set 30 November 2026 as the deadline for completing all work on the new passenger terminal and associated facilities[21]. The terminal will serve as a new regional hub and is designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. Foster + Partners describe the trefoil‑shaped building as having three symmetrical wings, a 25‑m‑high central space and a single roof canopy that filters daylight while deflecting direct solar radiation[22]. The roof will host photovoltaic panels to harvest solar energy, and the design incorporates water features and landscaped plazas to improve passenger comfort[23]. Once operational, Terminal 2 will raise Kuwait’s capacity to more than 25 million passengers and provide a technologically advanced, sustainable travel experience.

Conclusion

GCC airports are investing heavily in innovative travel technologies as part of broader national visions to diversify economies and promote tourism. By 2026, passengers will witness the introduction of electric air‑taxi vertiports in Abu Dhabi, 3D baggage scanners and AI‑driven immigration corridors in Dubai, and a one‑stop checkpoint that unifies immigration and security across GCC states. Saudi airports are deploying LiDAR‑based passenger‑flow systems and digital self‑service platforms, while Qatar operates a virtual air‑traffic control tower. Omani airports are leveraging Wi‑Fi 7 and facial‑recognition e‑gates, Bahrain continues to refine its self‑bag‑drop and biometric infrastructure, and Kuwait is preparing to open a sustainable mega‑terminal. Collectively, these government‑backed initiatives indicate that the Gulf region is poised to lead global aviation in combining digital innovation, passenger convenience and environmental sustainability in the latter half of the decade.