e-Gate registration office set up at Dubai Airline Centre

The Dubai Naturalization and Residency Administration (DNRD) and the Dubai Airline Centre (Dnata Agencies) have signed an exclusive agreement to extend the e-Gate registration facility beyond Dubai Airport, by setting up an enrolment centre at the Dnata offices on Sheikh Zayed Road. The new centre was inaugurated by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of the Emirates Group today (November 02, 2002) at a ceremony attended by several dignitaries and VIPs.

"The e-Gate system is in line with HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's drive for e-Government and places the facilities at Dubai airport among the most advanced in the world," said HH Sheikh Ahmed, after cutting the ribbon to officially inaugurate the new centre. "It is important for Government and corporate agencies to come together in the service of the public and I am pleased that the DNRD, has chosen Dnata Agencies as its strategic partner to issue the e-Card for the e-Gate registration. Dnata has a long history of providing efficient service to airline passengers in Dubai and this alliance will further enhance its role."

"We are extremely happy matter that HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum has taken such a personal interest in the e-Gate project. We are deeply gratified at his presence here today to inaugurate the registration office being set up at Dnata, which is the premium stopping point for travellers in Dubai," said Colonel Saeed Matter Bin Belailah, Director DNRD. "This new registration office is also a significant representation of the co-operation between DNRD and Dnata and a testimony to the synergy that exists between the two organizations. We are happy and proud to work together with Dnata to provide passengers with the finest services using best of breed technologies."

Travellers wishing to register for the e-Card no longer have to travel to the airport and can also register at the fully operational centre at the Dnata offices on Sheikh Zayed Road. The thoroughly networked system, which is linked to DNRD's database, will ensure that all registrations are automatically recorded and updated. Dnata Agencies' e- Card centre, manned by two staff members, is located on the mezzanine floor of the Dubai Airline Centre.

In addition to the citizens and residents of the UAE, the system is open to citizens of those 34 countries who can obtain visas on arrival in the UAE. Customers are required to present their valid passports/travel documents, complete finger-printing procedures and have their photograph taken. The e-Cards, valid for two years, are issued to them on the spot for a fee of Dh150. The registration centre at Dnata Agencies provides an added-value service to airlines and corporate customers in a relaxed and sophisticated environment. The Dnata Call Centre also has a dedicated team on hand to answer any queries that passengers may have regarding the e card.

The e-Gate launched in August this year has recorded tremendous success with more than 3,500 residents from over 45 nationalities obtaining the smart card in the first month of operations to take advantage of a system that allows fast and hassle-free transit of Dubai Airport Immigration procedures. Four e-gates have been installed at Dubai airport, two for arrivals and two for departures, allowing passengers to bypass manual Immigration checks. Dubai airport is the first in the Middle East and only the third in the world (after Singapore and Malaysia) to install the e-gates for arrival and departure.