Starting your next journey from Dubai International Airport (DXB) is going to be quicker and easier, with the airport implementing a ticketless parking system that uses e-wallets throughout all terminals. Dubai Airports and Salik Company have signed an unprecedented 10-year contract to remove paper tickets and manual payment queues by introducing smart and drive-through parking in one of the busiest airports in the world. The relocation brings the same convenience of drive-through used by motorists on the toll roads in Dubai to the parking lot of DXB, without the paper tickets, manual payment machines, and exit queues.
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DXB and Salik Unite for Smart Parking
The signing of the agreement was made through a ceremony that was attended by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of Salik. The partnership would be an important and major upgrade in the management of parking at one of the busiest international airports in the world.
The new system will allow drivers to get in and out of DXB car parks without having to stop, and the parking fees will be deducted automatically using Salik E-Wallet. The system eliminates the physical tickets and cash payments, as well as card machines. The ticketless parking solution will become operational from January 22, 2026, and will cover:
- Terminal 1
- Terminal 2
- Terminal 3
- Cargo Mega Terminal
Drivers will be allowed to get out and get their cargo before the car stops, regardless of whether the passengers are going to drop off a relative or go on holiday, and regardless of whether they are going to access cargo facilities or not, because the fees are automatically deducted from their Salik accounts through license plate recognition technology.
How the System Works
When this system is on, it will automatically detect vehicles that pass into DXB car parks. The parking charges will be computed according to the length of stay and will be deducted directly from the Salik E-wallet of the driver upon leaving the car. All the driver needs is to have enough balance in the account.
The outcome is that the traffic moves easily, fewer people are holding up the exit lines, and it is stress-free parking—especially during the high travel seasons.
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A Smoother and Faster Airport Experience
To the passengers and visitors, it has a direct and practical effect. Drivers no longer have to lose their parking tickets or spend time waiting at exit barriers during the peak travel periods. Entry and exit are completely automated as long as the Salik account remains active and is topped up.
The initiative will also ease congestion at terminal exits, reduce vehicle idling time, and enhance traffic flow around the airport, particularly during peak holiday and travel periods.
Salik’s Expanding Digital Ecosystem
The DXB program is an extension of the larger plan by Salik to diversify beyond tolling and into smart mobility and digital payment. Over the last few years, Salik has incorporated their e-wallet system with both private and governmental parking service providers in Dubai and the UAE at large.
Examples include:
- Ticketless parking with Parkonic, where license plates replace barriers and barcode tickets
- Dubai Mall parking, where charges are automatically deducted from Salik accounts
These innovations are indicative of a future where a single electronic wallet will be accepted in terms of tolls, parking, fuel, and even EV charging to assist in the vision of Dubai towards connected city transport mobility. The DXB rollout is one of the biggest uses of the Salik e-wallet technology to date.
Enhancing Passenger Experience and Sustainability
During the signing ceremony, leaders emphasized that the partnership will help to make Dubai one of the smartest cities in the world. Through the incorporation of Salik into airport parking systems, DXB will:
- Reduce congestion at terminal exits
- Cut vehicle idling times
- Eliminate paper tickets and associated waste
The project provides not only operational performance but also environmental performance; that is, it saves time on the part of travelers and minimizes emissions in the airport precinct.
What It Means for Travellers
To the traveller, the difference is not very difficult: a little less waiting, a little less fuss, and more rapid access to the terminal. As payment is taken care of automatically in the background, getting to the car park and the check-in desk becomes a more hassle-free adventure than ever before.
With DXB still leading the world in airport operations and the passenger experience, the launch of e-wallet parking with no tickets is just another move towards frictionless travel, or where technology silently does the work under the hood to save time and enhance any journey.