India has started international passenger trials of its Digi Yatra biometric digital identity verification system from November to December 2026 at seven airports: Delhi (DEL), Bengaluru (BLR), Hyderabad (HYD), Cochin (COK), Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA), and Amritsar (ATQ). The trials include select international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo, allowing eligible Indian nationals holding e-passports to use digital identity verification.
Passenger Procedures for Digi Yatra International Trials
Passengers must create an e-passport-based Verifiable Credential using the Digi Yatra mobile application on NFC-enabled smartphones before using the trial services. Registration requires scanning the passport’s Machine Readable Zone and chip via NFC, followed by biometric face verification through
a selfie. IndiGo passengers can upload their boarding passes to the app after standard airline document checks and then access biometric face authentication at Security Hold Areas and boarding gates at participating airports.
Digi Yatra Usage Statistics and Expansion Plan
As of November 1, 2026, the Digi Yatra platform has over 26.5 million users and has supported more than 110 million passenger journeys across 39 domestic airports. The Ministry of Civil Aviation plans to gather passenger feedback from these international trials to inform a broader rollout in 2027, which includes adding 25 more domestic airports to the network.
Compliance with Travel Document Requirements
The Digi Yatra trials complement existing international travel procedures.
Passengers are still required to carry physical passports, visas, and boarding passes, and must complete mandatory airline and immigration checks. The digital credential facilitates identity verification at selected airport checkpoints but does not replace conventional documents or formalities.
Official Views and Framework Interoperability
According to IndiGo’s Chief Digital and Information Officer Neetan Chopra, technology like Digi Yatra is key to making air travel more efficient and customer-oriented, while maintaining consistent processes across airport touchpoints. Digi Yatra Foundation CEO Suresh Khadakbhavi described the trials as a crucial step toward extending digital identity benefits internationally and emphasized the importance of interoperability with global frameworks such as IATA
One ID and ICAO Public Key Directory. The foundation is focused on passenger consent, data privacy, and security during the expansion.
Context of Digital Identity Development in Indian Aviation
The Digi Yatra international trials build on the platform’s established biometric authentication system used domestically. The Ministry of Civil Aviation seeks to evaluate the technology’s performance and infrastructure needs across different international airport environments. This pilot program is designed to align India’s digital identity system with global aviation standards and supports the government’s Digital India vision to facilitate ease of air travel.
