India has initiated international passenger trials of the Digi Yatra biometric-enabled airport processing system from November through December 2026. The trials are active at seven airports: Delhi (DEL), Bengaluru (BLR), Hyderabad (HYD), Cochin (COK), Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA), and Amritsar (ATQ). Eligible Indian nationals with valid electronic passports (e-passports) can use digital identity verification on select international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo.
Passenger Enrollment and Biometric Verification Process
Passengers must create an e-passport-based Verifiable Credential (VC) through the Digi Yatra mobile application. The process requires scanning the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) on the e-passport and verifying passport data via Near Field Communication (NFC) on
a compatible smartphone. Passengers also complete biometric verification by submitting a selfie through the app, which finalizes the creation of the digital credential stored in their Digi Yatra digital wallet.
Use of Digi Yatra Credentials During Airport Processing
At participating airports, passengers utilize the Digi Yatra credential at designated touchpoints enabled for the international trial. These include check-in counters, security hold areas, and boarding gates. Despite the biometric-based process, travelers must continue carrying physical documents such as passports and visas and comply with all airline and immigration formalities. IndiGo requires passengers to upload boarding passes to the Digi Yatra app after document verification at check-in to access biometric
processing for security and boarding.
Airline Participation and Official Views
Air India and IndiGo are the primary carriers involved in the international Digi Yatra trials. IndiGo’s Chief Digital and Information Officer has described the technology as key to making air travel more seamless, efficient, and customer-focused. IndiGo previously took part in proof-of-concept explorations of the system and is leveraging Digi Yatra for biometric verification on eligible international departures alongside Air India.
Domestic Usage and Expansion Plans
Digi Yatra currently serves over 26.5 million registered users domestically and has facilitated more than 110 million passenger journeys across 39 domestic airports. The Indian government plans to expand Digi Yatra-enabled facilities to 25
additional domestic airports by 2027. Results from the ongoing international trials will inform a broader rollout of the biometric identity system for eligible international passengers starting in 2027.
Background and International Framework Integration
The international trials test Digi Yatra’s interoperability with global aviation standards like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) One ID initiative and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Public Key Directory. These frameworks support digital identity verification and secure electronic travel document authentication worldwide. The Ministry of Civil Aviation emphasizes that the trials complement—rather than replace—existing travel documents and processes, aligning with India’s Digital India strategy and objectives to improve the ease
of flying.
Official Perspectives on Privacy and Future Rollout
The Digi Yatra Foundation has highlighted the importance of passenger consent, privacy, and data security in developing international digital identity systems. The Ministry of Civil Aviation will collect passenger feedback during the November-December 2026 trial period to evaluate system performance, infrastructure needs, and passenger experience. This assessment will guide the planned wider implementation of Digi Yatra for international travelers in 2027, with continued emphasis on security and operational efficiency across airports.
