Digi Yatra starts trials for overseas flights

The face-recognition system developed by Digi Yatra is undergoing trials for use by international passengers at seven airports in India. The trials, which will continue until December 2026, will take place at Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai, and Amritsar. Eligible Indian nationals with e-passports can utilize the Digi Yatra service on selected international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo, according to a statement from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Passengers can access the service at terminal entry points, Security Hold Areas (SHA), and boarding gates, provided the necessary infrastructure is in place. IndiGo announced that its beta phase commenced at the end of October. The feedback gathered during the trial will inform a larger rollout in 2027, as indicated by the Ministry.

Neetan Chopra, the Chief Digital and Information Officer at IndiGo, emphasized that integrating secure digital identity and biometric technologies into international departures marks a significant advancement for Indian aviation. To utilize the facility, passengers need to create a Verifiable Credential (VC) based on their e-passports through the Digi Yatra mobile app.

This involves scanning the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of the e-passport, reading the embedded chip using the Near Field Communication (NFC) feature on a compatible smartphone, and taking a selfie for verification. The credential is then stored in the Digi Yatra wallet on the passenger's phone.

Passengers can upload their boarding passes to the app for entry into the airport terminal. After passing the document check at the airline check-in counter, they can proceed through the security hold area and boarding gates using facial authentication. However, it is important to note that this service is intended to complement existing travel processes, not to replace them.

Passengers are still required to carry their travel documents and complete all necessary airline document checks, immigration procedures, and other formalities.

Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of the Digi Yatra Foundation, highlighted that the platform demonstrates how digital identity can streamline domestic air travel. He also mentioned that interoperability with global frameworks, such as IATA's One ID and ICAO's Public Key Directory, will be crucial for the future of this initiative. Khadakbhavi stressed that passenger consent, privacy, and security will remain paramount throughout the experience.

Digi Yatra currently has over 26.5 million users, with more than 110 million journeys facilitated across 39 domestic airports, as reported by the Ministry. Additionally, plans are underway to expand the service to an additional 25 domestic airports by 2027.