Seven Indian airports will begin Digi Yatra biometric travel trials for international passengers between November and December 2026. The airports involved are Delhi (DEL), Bengaluru (BLR), Hyderabad (HYD), Cochin (COK), Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA), and Amritsar (ATQ).
Eligibility for the trials is limited to Indian nationals holding valid e-passports who are flying on selected international Air India and IndiGo flights. Travelers must register digitally through the Digi Yatra mobile application, which requires scanning the electronic passport and completing biometric verification on a smartphone equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC).
At the participating airports, biometric face authentication will be available at
designated touchpoints including Security Hold Areas and boarding gates. Despite using the Digi Yatra digital identity credential, passengers are required to carry physical passports and boarding passes and complete all mandatory airline and immigration checks.
Official Statements on Digi Yatra Trials
Digi Yatra Foundation CEO Suresh Khadakbhavi emphasized that these international trials represent a key extension of the platform’s benefits beyond domestic air travel. He highlighted plans to align with global frameworks such as IATA One ID and the ICAO Public Key Directory to support interoperability.
IndiGo Chief Digital and Information Officer Neetan Chopra noted that the technology aims to enhance efficiency and customer experience across
airports. He underlined IndiGo’s role in both earlier technical trials and the current international pilot phase.
Digi Yatra Usage and Expansion Plans
Digi Yatra currently serves over 26.5 million users and has facilitated more than 110 million passenger journeys across 39 domestic airports. The Ministry of Civil Aviation intends to expand the system to 25 additional domestic airports by 2027, continuing its integration with the national Digital India initiative.
International Interoperability and Data Privacy
The digital identity program seeks interoperability with international aviation standards, including IATA One ID and the ICAO Public Key Directory. Passenger consent, privacy protection, and data security are central to developing these cross-border biometric verification processes.
Next Steps in Digi Yatra International Trials
The
Ministry of Civil Aviation will collect passenger feedback from the trials conducted at the seven airports to evaluate system performance and infrastructure needs. Findings will guide preparations for a broader international rollout planned for 2027.
