Digi Yatra starts international passenger trials at seven airports
The contactless initiative will allow e-passport holders to use facial recognition for select international flights through December 2026.
Digi Yatra has started trial runs for international passengers at seven airports in India, according to The New Indian Express. The trials are taking place at Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar airports.
The Civil Aviation Ministry said the trials, running from November to December 2026, are for eligible Indian nationals with e-passports. These passengers can use the service for specific international flights operated by IndiGo and Air India at terminal entries, boarding gates and Security Hold Areas where infrastructure exists.
To use the facility, passengers must create a Verifiable Credential via the Digi Yatra mobile app. This involves scanning the e-passport's Machine Readable Zone, using Near Field Communication to read the chip, and capturing a selfie to verify details.
The Ministry noted that the service is meant to complement rather than replace current travel processes. Passengers are still required to carry travel documents and complete all immigration and airline document checks.
The platform currently serves 39 domestic airports and has more than 2.65 crore users, facilitating over 11 crore journeys. A wider rollout is planned for 2027, which will include an additional 25 domestic airports.
Digi Yatra Foundation CEO Suresh Khadakbhavi said the trials are a step towards extending the experience to those travelling internationally. He mentioned that interoperability with global frameworks would be an important part of the journey.