Digi Yatra, India’s facial recognition-based airport processing program, will open international passenger trials at seven airports on November 1, allowing eligible Indian nationals with e-passports to use it on overseas flights operated by Air India and IndiGo.
According to the Digi Yatra Foundation, the trials cover Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar airports and run from November to December 2026, with a beta program already underway. Passenger feedback will inform plans for a wider rollout in 2027. The trials cover all international destinations served by Air India and selected destinations operated by IndiGo.
To take part, passengers create an e-passport-based digital credential in the Digi Yatra app. The process involves scanning the passport’s machine-readable zone, reading its embedded chip with a smartphone’s near-field communication (NFC) capability, capturing a selfie and verifying the details. The credential is stored in the passenger’s Digi Yatra wallet on their device for use at enabled airport touchpoints, including terminal entry, the security hold area and boarding gates, subject to infrastructure availability.
Passengers must still carry their travel documents and complete airline document checks, immigration and other travel formalities. Domestic enrollment uses Aadhaar, and in August the app added driving licenses as an alternative verified credential.
“With the start of international passenger trials, we are taking an important step towards extending this experience to eligible Indian nationals travelling internationally,” said Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of the Digi Yatra Foundation. He said interoperability with global frameworks such as IATA’s One ID and ICAO’s Public Key Directory would be an important part of the initiative.
At Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, the trials are already live on the Digi Yatra beta app, with the update due on the regular app on November 1. The supported routes there include Air India’s Bengaluru to London service and IndiGo flights to Malé and Kuala Lumpur.
Digi Yatra has also redesigned its mobile app, adding airline-mapped colors for boarding passes, clearer indicators for guardian and minor credentials, and a revised consent screen explaining what information is shared, with whom and for what purpose. The platform has more than 26.5 million users and has facilitated more than 110 million journeys.
Sources: TradingView, Mint
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
