India has commenced international passenger trials for Digi Yatra, its biometric-enabled airport processing system, across seven airports from November to December 2026. The trial involves Delhi (DEL), Bengaluru (BLR), Hyderabad (HYD), Cochin (COK), Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA), and Amritsar (ATQ) international airports.
Passenger Eligibility and Verification Process
The trials apply to eligible Indian nationals holding valid e-passports traveling on selected international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo. Passengers must register their e-passport-based digital identity via the Digi Yatra mobile app, which requires scanning the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) and reading the embedded electronic passport chip through Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled smartphones. A biometric
selfie verification completes the creation of a Verifiable Credential stored on the passenger’s device.
Airline Integration and Biometric Authentication
IndiGo passengers participating in the trial upload boarding passes to the Digi Yatra app after completing mandatory document checks at check-in counters. This process enables biometric face authentication at designated security and boarding gates within participating airports, streamlining passenger processing on selected flights. IndiGo’s digital department has emphasized technology’s role in speeding and enhancing customer travel experience.
Trial Scope and Travel Document Requirements
The Digi Yatra international trials serve as an additional digital verification method and do not replace existing travel formalities. Passengers must continue to carry physical passports, boarding passes, and
complete all airline and immigration procedures. The biometric system operates at airport touchpoints equipped to support the Digi Yatra trial, allowing facial biometric verification while maintaining compliance with global travel document requirements.
Feedback and Expansion Plans
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is using feedback from the November-December 2026 trials to assess system performance, infrastructure needs, and passenger experience. This evaluation will inform plans to expand Digi Yatra’s biometric verification to more international passenger journeys with a broader rollout scheduled for 2027.
Domestic Adoption and User Base
Digi Yatra has over 26.5 million registered users as of November 1, 2026, and has facilitated more than 110 million passenger journeys across
39 domestic airports. The government plans to extend the platform to another 25 domestic airports by 2027, building on a substantial operational foundation to support digital identity verification for air travel.
International Frameworks and Data Security
The international trials are exploring interoperability with global aviation digital identity standards, including the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) One ID and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD). The Digi Yatra Foundation prioritizes passenger consent, privacy, and data security as it integrates biometric identity verification into international travel protocols.
Official Perspectives on Technology Benefits
Ministry of Civil Aviation officials stress that Digi Yatra trials complement existing travel document requirements and
aim to improve passenger processing efficiency. IndiGo’s Chief Digital and Information Officer highlighted technology’s role in making air travel more seamless and customer-focused. Digi Yatra Foundation’s CEO described the international trials as a key step toward deploying biometric digital identities for Indian nationals traveling abroad.
