Seven Indian airports will begin Digi Yatra biometric travel trials for international flights from November 2026 through December 2026. The initiative involves selected international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo, extending biometric facial recognition beyond domestic operations.
Participating Airports and Passenger Eligibility
The airports involved in the Digi Yatra trials are Delhi (DEL), Bengaluru (BLR), Hyderabad (HYD), Cochin (COK), Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA), and Amritsar (ATQ). Eligible users are Indian nationals holding valid electronic passports who travel internationally on flights operated by the two airlines.
Registration Process and Technology Use
Passengers must use the Digi Yatra mobile application to register by creating an e-passport-based Verifiable Credential. Registration requires a
compatible smartphone with Near Field Communication (NFC) to scan the passport’s Machine Readable Zone and read the electronic chip embedded in the e-passport. Biometric confirmation is then completed by capturing a selfie.
Passenger Experience During Trials
During the trials, passengers can use Digi Yatra biometric verification at specific airport touchpoints, covering up to three per airport depending on infrastructure. IndiGo passengers also upload boarding passes to the app after airline document checks to access biometric processing at Security Hold Areas and boarding gates. The facility operates as a supplementary identity check alongside existing travel procedures.
Official Perspectives on the Initiative
IndiGo’s Chief Digital and Information Officer emphasized the importance
of technology in creating more efficient, customer-focused air travel, noting IndiGo’s role in previous proof-of-concept trials and the current international expansion. The Digi Yatra Foundation CEO described the trials as a crucial development in extending streamlined digital identity verification to international journeys.
Existing Travel Procedures and Program Context
The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarified that Digi Yatra will complement, not replace, carrying physical passports and boarding passes, as well as mandatory airline and immigration checks. As of November 1, 2026, the domestic Digi Yatra platform has over 26.5 million users facilitating more than 110 million journeys at 39 airports, with expansion planned to 25 additional domestic
airports by 2027.
International Trial Goals and Future Rollout
The international trials aim to evaluate technology performance, infrastructure requirements, and passenger experiences across the seven airports. The Ministry of Civil Aviation will collect passenger feedback from November and December 2026 to prepare for a broader rollout of Digi Yatra biometric travel facilities internationally by 2027. The project aligns with India’s Digital India initiative and targets interoperability with international standards such as IATA One ID and ICAO Public Key Directory.
