India commenced international passenger trials of the Digi Yatra digital identity system from November to December 2026 across seven airports: Delhi (DEL), Bengaluru (BLR), Hyderabad (HYD), Cochin (COK), Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA), and Amritsar (ATQ). The trials cover selected international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo for eligible Indian nationals holding valid e-passports.
Passenger Eligibility and Registration Process
Eligible passengers must register by creating an e-passport-based Verifiable Credential (VC) via the Digi Yatra mobile application. This requires scanning the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of their e-passports and using Near Field Communication (NFC) on compatible smartphones to access the electronic passport chip. A biometric selfie
is captured within the app to verify identity and complete credential generation.
Airport Operations and IndiGo Integration
Passengers holding the digital VC may use it at designated airport touchpoints, including airline check-in counters, Security Hold Areas, and boarding gates equipped for the trials. IndiGo passengers upload boarding passes to the Digi Yatra app after mandatory document verification at check-in. Subsequently, biometric face authentication via the app enables access through security and boarding gates, enhancing passenger flow during international departures.
Travel Document Requirements and Official Procedures
The Digi Yatra digital credential supplements but does not replace physical travel documents. Passengers must continue to carry passports, boarding passes, and comply with all airline
and immigration checks. The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarified that all mandatory procedures, including immigration, remain unchanged. The system is designed to simplify biometric verification at trial-enabled airport points without removing current travel formalities.
Trial Monitoring and International Frameworks
The Ministry of Civil Aviation plans to collect passenger feedback during the trial period to refine system requirements for a wider international rollout in 2027. Digi Yatra Foundation oversees the platform and coordinates interoperability adherence with international standards such as IATA One ID and ICAO Public Key Directory (PKD). Emphasis is placed on passenger consent, privacy, and security throughout the system’s development.
Digi Yatra User Base and Expansion Plans
As of November 1,
2026, Digi Yatra has over 26.5 million registered users in India and has facilitated more than 110 million passenger journeys across 39 domestic airports. The platform aims to expand to an additional 25 domestic airports by 2027, building on a foundation that supports ongoing international trials at the selected seven airports.
Official Views on Digital Identity Deployment
IndiGo’s Chief Digital and Information Officer described digital identity technology as crucial to making air travel more efficient and customer-centric. The airline supports a consistent passenger experience using biometric verification at multiple airport touchpoints. Digi Yatra Foundation’s CEO characterized the international trials as a key step toward extending digital
identity-enabled travel for Indian nationals abroad, building on demonstrated domestic success.
Context within India’s Digital Aviation Strategy
The Digi Yatra expansion aligns with the Indian government’s Digital India vision, aiming to leverage technology to ease air travel. By testing digital identity credentials in international departures, the system explores secure, interoperable biometric verification consistent with global aviation standards, supporting broader modernization of airport passenger processing within India and internationally.
