Digi Yatra Starts International Trials at Seven Major Airports

The Civil Aviation Ministry announced that trials for international passengers using the facial recognition system have commenced at seven locations. These testing sites include airports in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai, and Amritsar.

The evaluation period restricts participation to Indian nationals possessing e-passports who are traveling on specific international routes operated by Air India and IndiGo. Eligible travelers can utilize the technology at terminal entrances, security hold areas, and boarding gates where infrastructure permits.

To participate, users must generate a verifiable credential through the mobile application by scanning their e-passport, reading the embedded chip via NFC, taking a selfie, and verifying information. Officials noted that the system is meant to supplement existing procedures, requiring passengers to still carry travel documents and complete standard immigration and airline checks.

Feedback gathered during the trial phase will guide planning for a broader commercial launch targeted for 2027. Currently, the platform boasts millions of users and has facilitated numerous journeys across domestic airports, with further domestic expansion also scheduled for 2027.