Dubai International Airport is rolling out AI-powered hand-luggage scanners in 2026 that will let passengers keep liquids and laptops in their bags, improving security efficiency and convenience.
More than 100 next-generation screening machines will transform security checkpoints and speed up passenger flow at DXB in 2026
Travellers flying through Dubai International Airport (DXB) are set to enjoy a smoother security experience as the airport begins rolling out AI-powered hand-luggage scanners that eliminate the need to remove liquids and laptops from carry-on bags, airport officials have announced.
The advanced screening machines use artificial intelligence to analyse the contents of hand luggage, allowing passengers to place bags on the conveyor belt and pass through security without removing electronics, toiletries, or other items that were previously required to be screened separately.
Dubai Airports chief executive Paul Griffiths said the upgrade is part of a major investment in airport technology to enhance convenience and efficiency. “This means no shoes off, no liquids out of bags, no laptops out. You literally put your bag on the tray and walk through the security process without stopping,” he noted, calling the change a “huge improvement in passenger convenience”.
Currently, a small number of the new scanners — around five or six — are already operational at DXB, with more than 100 expected to be installed across the airport during 2026. The enhanced machines are designed to provide quicker, more detailed screening while reducing the need for manual intervention, Griffiths said.
By using AI to identify which bags require additional inspection, the system aims to make security checks both more thorough and less intrusive, thereby speeding up throughput and reducing queues. Passengers will no longer be required to discard common items such as deodorants, creams, or other toiletries, which they are currently forced to leave behind if containers exceed 100 millilitres.
The initiative forms part of DXB’s broader efforts to embrace what officials call “barrier-free travel”, which includes innovations such as passport-less immigration, face-recognition check-in and smart way-finding technologies.
The new security scanners also position Dubai among a growing number of major airports adopting next-generation screening technologies that allow liquids and electronics to remain in bags, a trend already seen at some international hubs.
