Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore initiated Digi Yatra biometric trials for international departing passengers on October 30, 2026. This pilot applies facial recognition technology to enable biometrics-based identity verification, aiming to reduce repetitive document checks at the airport.
Passenger Identity Validation and Digital Credentials
International travelers eligible for the trial must verify their identity through the Digi Yatra App by accessing the e-passport chip and completing a photo verification process. After successful validation, passengers receive a digital travel credential designed to protect their privacy, facilitating biometric recognition at designated terminal checkpoints.
Trial Scope: Terminal and Security Gates; Boarding Phase Potential
The initial focus of the Digi Yatra trial is biometric verification at terminal entry and
security screening for select international flights. The airport plans to explore extending biometric checks to the boarding gate phase for specific IndiGo and Air India international departures. However, standard immigration, emigration, and airline counter document checks remain mandatory and are unaffected by this trial.
Collaborations and Background
The trial is a joint effort among Bangalore International Airport Limited, government authorities, Digi Yatra, airline partners IndiGo and Air India, and technology firms including SITA and IATA. It follows a technical Proof of Concept conducted earlier in 2026 at Kempegowda Airport with these collaborators, which established the feasibility of biometric travel processing.
George Fanthome, Chief
Technical Officer at Bangalore International Airport Limited, explained that launching Digi Yatra for international departures advances the airport’s goal to create a digitally enabled and efficient travel environment.
The Digi Yatra biometric system currently supports over 26.5 million domestic users. Its extension to international flights at Bangalore Airport contributes to ongoing modernization efforts in aviation identity verification, aligned with themes emphasized at Identity Week Europe.
