Flying to Dubai? Your baggage is under watch

The first month of the year has been so busy for the Dubai Customs' passenger operations department at the Dubai International Airport.
Official records showed that the emirate's oldest department has dealt with around 7.9 million in January. DXB welcomed a total of 7,960,146 passengers in January, a small reduction of one per cent compared to 8,037,008 recorded in January 2017 when passenger volumes were boosted due to Chinese New Year which fell in February this year.
A senior official was quoted as saying in an earlier Khaleej Times report that they have checked about 18 million bags coming through 39,000 flights in the first six months in 2017.
Ibrahim Al Kamali, director of passenger operations at the Dubai Customs, said they have also made 360 seizures of banned and prohibited goods and narcotics over the same period. "We have also processed up to 6,500 customs transactions.
"We have internally developed applications and systems that have significantly helped us streamline passengers' arrivals and departures in a record time and as accurate and secure as possible." 
The Smart Inspection System, for example, has remarkably reduced inspection time by 50 to 70 per cent, he explained. "The Kashif Inspection Smart Vehicle, the first of its kind in the world, saves clients' time and efforts as well.
Read: Smart suitcase to ensure more safety at Dubai airports
"The smart customs clearance vehicle also simplifies clearance procedures for the disabled, the elderly and VIPs, amongst many other innovative services and facilitations. We also provide advanced training inspectors from different customs departments in the UAE in coordination with Dubai Customs' training centre."
Al Kamali pointed out that services provided are of very high quality and represent Dubai in a good way being a preferred destination for business and tourism. "There are certain procedures that were taken in the three airport terminals that help towards a smoother flow and passenger traffic without compromising the security side." 
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The Dubai Customs has also raised awareness about its role and responsibilities through the "Passenger guide" on its website, he said. "The guide includes all travel procedures such as which materials are permitted, which need to be disclosed and which are prohibited."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com