SubscribeFast Immigration Process and Highest Security Level – A Solution for All Airports in the Future
Steady increase of international travel and rising concerns about organised crime and terrorism put high pressure on immigration and custom departments worldwide. The tourist industry loses millions because many travellers are not willing to put up with the inconvenience of the current custom clearance procedures. Faster clearance times and increased security is essential.
Today international airports have massive problems in processing their customers due to stricter security regulations. Some years ago the UAE has undertaken a major, pioneering step to realise an optimal solution to enter and depart from all its international airports in a fast and secure manner. Through the "Unified Electronic Gate Project" using fingerprint biometrics, all registered passengers arriving at and leaving from any of the UAE airports are automatically processed. The data entry is then linked to a central system for rapid identification and verification.
Magnetic Autocontrol has developed and produced the Immigration Gate in a joined team consisting of airport authorities, system integrator and security experts. All requirements where laid out for the future of this automatic security system.
Leading by Example
The e-gate handles the process of comparing the fingerprint data as well as providing physical security. The first immigration gates were installed in 2002 at Dubai International Airport as experimental ones. With a clever marketing campaign via flyers, videos and personal assistance the new system was introduced to travellers.
The strategy was a real success and acceptance was enormous. This led to the decision to install the electronic gates in all the six international Airports in the UAE. Some additional gates were placed for First and Business Class.
User Friendliness
All UAE and European Union nationals as well as all UAE residents can obtain their personal e-card (electronic smart card) in 10 minutes in various enrolment offices. The UAE is the only country in the world that allows nationals and residents alike to use the e-gate. "There is a big demand for ease of use immigration, so far 280,000 members signed in and this number will definitely grow", says Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Lootah, Ministry of Interior Naturalisation & Residency. As a result there are millions of passages through the gates each year.
The benefits are evident: automatic passport check in less than five seconds without compromise in stringent security measures remaining at the highest security level and no queuing in endless lines. Passengers appreciate this quality service and the airport authority is benefiting due to simpler operations.
Lootah adds: "We thought ahead on purpose and designed an Immigration Gate that incorporates all relevant features, some we are going to use in the near future." One special feature of Magnetic's Immigration Gate is the detection of any accidentally forgotten belongings; passengers will be notified to carry them before leaving the e-gate.
 |  |
Technology, Quality, Design and People
The company implemented the first Immigration Gate back in 1996 in Singapore. "It is clear, there are two key success factors for this kind of complex projects - the product itself and all the people behind it. Magnetic has both: excellence in finding the right solution and as important they listen to the customers. We had no problems for the deployment," says Lootah, "We experienced Magnetic employees are real experts and very special! At the time when our Immigration Gate was developed it was the very best in the world. I have seen many gates in the market and I can say it still is one of the best! Immigration Gates from Magnetic Autocontrol are excellent because they are robust and they work with accuracy."
Magnetic is always challenging itself to develop better solutions. Dieter Schwald, CEO of the global company, adds: "On a continuous basis we have improved our product design to reach best-in-class functionality. Based on our wide experience we are able to consult future customers in the best way. Our new patented MHTM-drive technology (Magnetic High Torque Motor) delivers extra customer benefits. It allows us to create smaller gate design that fits well into any architectural environment. At the same time we reach a higher through-put and a higher security level - perfect!"
Latest Technology
The supplier is partnering in these projects with system integrators around the world. Customized Immigration Gate solutions are implemented in countries such as Australia, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong etc. The automation of immigration has reached highest acceptance from travellers and significantly improved airport efficiency.
Contact:
Magnetic Autocontrol GmbH (Group)
Grienmatt 20
D - 79650 Schopfheim / Germany
Tel.: +49 7622 695 5
Fax: +49 7622 695 602
Mail: info@ac-magnetic.com
