Digi Yatra trials extend to international flights at seven airports

Digi Yatra trials for international travellers have begun at seven Indian airports, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Sunday, November 1. Eligible Indian citizens with e-passports can try the facility on selected international services operated by Air India and IndiGo.

The participating airports are Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar. Feedback gathered during November and December 2026 will help shape plans for a wider introduction in 2027.

E-passport credential required for participation

The facial recognition system can be used at terminal entrances, security hold areas and boarding gates where the necessary infrastructure is in place. The ministry said the trial supplements existing procedures rather than removing any travel requirements.

Passengers still need to carry their documents and undergo airline checks, immigration and other compulsory formalities. IndiGo said eligible travellers can upload a boarding pass in the application, complete document verification at the airline counter and then use biometric authentication at enabled security and boarding points.

To participate in the Digi Yatra trials, an eligible passenger must create a digital credential based on an e-passport through the mobile application. This involves scanning the passport's machine-readable zone and using a compatible smartphone's near-field communication feature to read its chip.

The passenger then takes a selfie and verifies the information. The resulting credential stays in the Digi Yatra wallet on that device and can be used at airport points covered by the trial.

The ministry said the platform already has more than 26.5 million users and has supported over 110 million journeys. Its domestic network currently covers 39 airports, with another 25 domestic airports planned for inclusion by 2027.

The international testing therefore adds a new use for a system already operating for domestic travel. Access during this phase remains limited by nationality, e-passport eligibility, flight selection and the availability of equipment at each airport touchpoint.

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