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Dubai airport back-to-school rush: 77 baggage screening machines deployed
Dubai Customs has stepped up airport readiness ahead of the new academic year, with round-the-clock teams and 77 machines screening passenger baggage
- PUBLISHED: Sat 22 Aug 2026, 12:54 PM
Residents returning to Dubai after their summer holidays can expect more customs capacity at the airport as authorities are preparing for a surge in passenger arrivals ahead of the new academic year.
Dubai Customs has raised its readiness at airport entry points as families return to the emirate, deploying teams around the clock and operating 77 baggage screening machines to handle the expected increase in travellers.
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Of the 77 machines, 58 are used to screen large baggage, while another 19 are dedicated to carry-on luggage, according to Dubai Customs post on X.
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The authority said that it has put in place a proactive plan for what it described as the 'Back-to-Dubai Peak', which coincides with the return of residents from summer holidays and the start of the new school year.
The measures are aimed at keeping passengers moving quickly through the airport while ensuring that customs checks continue efficiently.
Teams working around the clock
Dubai Customs said that its teams at airport entry points are operating for all 24 hours to manage the higher passenger numbers.
New technology and digital services are also being used to help shorten the time passengers spend going through customs procedures after arriving in Dubai.
The authority said that greater efficiency, faster passenger flow, advanced technologies and the expertise of customs officers are among the key elements of its preparations.
This readiness comes as thousands of families who travelled overseas during the summer break begin returning to Dubai ahead of the reopening of schools.
For passengers, one of the main areas where the additional capacity is expected to help is baggage processing. The 77 screening machines allow customs officials to separately handle larger checked-in bags and smaller carry-on luggage.
Dubai Customs said that the aim is to maintain fast passenger movement while ensuring accurate customs controls, particularly during periods when large numbers of travellers arrive within a short time.
In July, the authority said that it had increased operational readiness at Dubai International Airport and was using technology to speed up baggage inspections as passenger numbers increased during the summer travel season.
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.