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Biometric Tech Unveiled At Abu Dhabi Airport Terminal
According to officials, passengers at the new Terminal A can get from the curb to their departure gate in just 12 minutes.

The new Terminal A at Abu Dhabi’s International Airport now benefits from the latest biometric systems. The technology will offer passengers a faster and smoother journey from outside the airport all the way to their departure gates.
Airport officials claim that the combination of new technologies and streamlined processes will shorten passenger processing times to 12 minutes. Self-service baggage drop-off kiosks now take just 30 seconds to navigate, while immigration and flight boarding procedures take 10 seconds and 3 seconds, respectively.
Airport executives chose four tech companies to install the biometrics services at the terminal, while Next50, an Abu Dhabi-based AI company, was responsible for integration.
Andrew Murphy, chief information officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, showcased the new systems during a recent media tour, explaining: “From a passenger experience perspective, passengers really enjoy the seamless nature of it. It allows you to get through the airport faster and then enjoy more time in retail or at the lounge and enjoy the whole experience”.
Eventually, the biometric systems will extend to retail areas and airport lounges through a loyalty scheme, allowing for smoother duty-free shopping, car rentals, and more.
Also Read: Abu Dhabi AI Company Aims To Create Global Tech Hub
The expansion of biometric technology will also include more check-in desks as well as solutions for connecting flights. The new terminal currently has 14 self-service bag-drops and 17 biometric boarding gates, but at present, they are only used by national carrier Etihad Airways.
Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal A can serve 45 million users per year and handle 11,000 passengers per hour. 28 airlines currently operate from the terminal, which can cater to 79 aircraft at any one time.
News
Rabbit Expands Hyperlocal Delivery Service In Saudi Arabia
The e-commerce startup is aiming to tap into the Kingdom’s underdeveloped e-grocery sector with a tech-first, locally rooted strategy.

Rabbit, an Egyptian-born hyperlocal e-commerce startup, is expanding into the Saudi Arabian market, setting its sights on delivering 20 million items across major cities by 2026.
The company, founded in 2021, is already operational in the Kingdom, with its regional headquarters now open in Riyadh and an established network of strategically located fulfillment centers — commonly known as “dark stores” — across the capital.
The timing is strategic: Saudi Arabia’s online grocery transactions currently sit at 1.3%, notably behind the UAE (5.3%) and the United States (4.8%). With the Kingdom’s food and grocery market estimated at $60 billion, even a modest increase in online adoption could create a multi-billion-dollar opportunity.
Rabbit also sees a clear alignment between its business goals and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to boost retail sector innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises, attract foreign investment, and develop a robust digital economy.
The company’s e-commerce model is based on speed and efficiency. Delivery of anything from groceries and snacks to cosmetics and household staples is promised in 20 minutes or less, facilitated by a tightly optimized logistics system — a crucial component in a sector where profit margins and delivery expectations are razor-thin.
Despite the challenges, Rabbit has already found its stride in Egypt. In just over three years, the app has been used by 1.4 million customers to deliver more than 40 million items. Revenue has surged, growing more than eightfold in the past two years alone.
Also Read: Top E-Commerce Websites In The Middle East In 2025
CEO and Co-Founder Ahmad Yousry commented: “We are delighted to announce Rabbit’s expansion into the Kingdom. We pride ourselves on being a hyperlocal company, bringing our bleeding-edge tech and experience to transform the grocery shopping experience for Saudi households, and delivering the best products – especially local favorites, in just 20 minutes”.
The company’s growth strategy avoids the pitfalls of over-reliance on aggressive discounting. Instead, Rabbit leans on operational efficiency, customer retention, and smart scaling. The approach is paying off, having already attracted major investment from the likes of Lorax Capital Partners, Global Ventures, Raed Ventures, and Beltone Venture Capital, alongside earlier investors such as Global Founders Capital, Goodwater Capital, and Hub71.