Chennai International Airport to extend Digi Yatra to international passengers from 2027
A trial run for IndiGo passengers flying to Dubai and Colombo is currently underway at the airport terminal.
Chennai International Airport will extend the Digi Yatra digital passenger checking scheme to its international terminal from 2027, according to reports by Deccan Chronicle and Urban Acres. The airport authorities have commenced a trial run of the system on November 1, which is scheduled to continue until December.
The current trial is being conducted for IndiGo Airlines passengers travelling to Dubai and Colombo. This pilot will be gradually extended to other international destinations before the system is fully introduced for all international passengers on January 1.
The Digi Yatra system has been operational at the domestic terminal for the last two years. Authorities decided to extend the service to the international terminal after passengers requested the faster clearance process.
Passengers using the scheme must use a mobile application to scan their e-passport. The system will electronically verify details using the passport chip and save a digital identity in the passenger's Digi Yatra wallet on an Android phone.
The process involves facial authentication where passengers show their faces to a screen to trigger automatic gates. While Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) staff will be present to observe, they will not conduct the identity checks. Separate staff will be appointed to guide passengers on using the system.
The introduction of Digi Yatra will not change immigration procedures or the verification of mandatory documents. The airport previously introduced the Fast Track Immigration-Traveller Trusted Programme (FTI-TTP) in August 2024 to help passengers clear immigration more quickly.