20.4m baggages handled at Dubai airport Terminal 3 in 2019

These were on board 88,000 flights.

A total of 20.44 million passengers' items were handled by the Dubai Customs' Passenger Operations Department in 2019 at the Terminal 3 of the Dubai International Airport.
These were on board 88,000 flights, according to the latest statistics revealed by the Dubai Customs.
Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, director-general of the Dubai Customs, said the Dubai International Airport is the first airport worldwide to have automated customs procedures. "This has noticeably facilitated passenger traffic during peak seasons such as Haj and holiday seasons."
"We also processed 34,200 customs transactions at Terminal 3 last year."
Dubai, strategically located between east and west and has spent billions of dirhams to develop its infrastructure, ports and airports, he added. "The emirate has provided an unprecedented host of services and products including the iDeclare application which significantly reduces passengers' time needed to declare different belongings."
Smooth traffic of passengers and baggage has been a priority, yet with zero tolerance of security issues, he pointed out. "The Passenger Operations Department makes the best use of advanced inspection systems and technologies to ensure satisfied passengers and secured airport."
During holiday seasons, the number of inspection officers at the airport is increased to 725 who work on shifts round the clock, he explained. "We have 77 screening systems in place to cover small and large cargo."
Musabih added that the customs department have also foiled 1,301 bids to smuggle different types of contraband, including narcotic drugs.
"A total of 1,198 criminal and 103 customs seizures were observed last year. An advanced full-body scanner was behind a number of seizures, including a female passenger who hid 82 cocaine capsules of 1,157 grammes in her guts," he said. "Dubai Customs inspectors also managed to seize two bags with 37kg of khat (qat) and another bag that contained 4.3kg of cocaine."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
 
GRAPHIC
DXB Terminal 3 operations in 2019
 
20.44 million passengers' items on board  88,000 flights 
34,200 customs transactions handled
725 Inspection officers at the airport during peak season
77 screening systems in place to cover small and large cargo
1,301 foiled bids to smuggle different types of contraband
1,198 criminal and 103 customs seizures last year

• Dubai