Hamad International Airport and Qatar Airways launched a new biometric Fast Pass service on Tuesday, allowing eligible passengers to move through check-in, security and boarding at Doha’s Hamad International Airport using facial recognition alone, in what the airport describes as one of the largest biometric passenger rollouts of its kind in the Middle East and globally.
The system, developed in partnership with aviation technology company SITA, connects more than 700 touchpoints across the airport. Passengers register once through the Qatar Airways mobile app or at self-service kiosks near row three on each trip. The service is available to Qatar Airways passengers aged 18 and above with a valid passport and a journey originating in Doha.
Participation is entirely optional and standard document processing remains available throughout the terminal. On data privacy, the airport confirmed that facial data captured at non-enrolled passengers is deleted immediately and not retained.
The launch reflects a broader industry shift. According to the International Air Transport Association’s 2025 Global Passenger Survey, 50% of travellers have now used biometrics at some point during an airport journey, up from 46% in 2024, with 85% reporting satisfaction with the experience.
