Digi Yatra for international flights could soon make travelling abroad from India more convenient. The Indian government has started trials of the Digi Yatra facility for international passengers at seven Indian airports. This new service will allow eligible Indian nationals holding e-passports to use facial recognition technology at selected airport checkpoints.

Currently, the facility is being tested for passengers travelling on select international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo. The trials are scheduled to run from November to December 2026. A wider rollout is planned for 2027, with passenger feedback from the trials informing the expansion plans.

Digi Yatra International Flights: Which Airports Are Included?

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, international Digi Yatra trials are being conducted at seven Indian airports:

1. Delhi International Airport
2. Bengaluru International Airport
3. Hyderabad International Airport
4. Cochin International Airport
5. Mumbai International Airport
6. Chennai International Airport
7. Amritsar International Airport

The service will be available at selected terminal entry points, Security Hold Areas (SHAs) and boarding gates, wherever the necessary infrastructure is available. Passengers should note that Digi Yatra is currently being tested on select international flights at these airports.

Who Can Use Digi Yatra for International Travel?

For now, Digi Yatra for international flights is only available to eligible Indian nationals holding e-passports as part of the trials. To use the facility, you need to:

• Have a valid Indian e-passport.
• Be flying on a select international flight operated by Air India or IndiGo.
• Have the Digi Yatra app installed on your phone.
• Use a compatible smartphone with Near Field Communication (NFC) capability.
• Verify your passport details and identity through the app.

Wondering what an e-passport is? It’s just like a regular passport, except it has a small electronic chip embedded in its cover. The chip stores information that can be read digitally using a compatible smartphone during Digi Yatra registration.

How to Complete Digi Yatra Registration for International Flights?

If you’re eligible to use Digi Yatra, here’s what you need to do before your flight.

Step 1: Download the Digi Yatra App

First, download the Digi Yatra app on your smartphone.

Step 2: Scan Your E-Passport

Open the app and scan the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ), which consists of two lines of letters, numbers and symbols at the bottom of your passport’s photo page.

Step 3: Scan the Passport Chip

Next, use your phone’s NFC feature to read the chip inside your e-passport. This allows the app to retrieve and verify the information stored on the chip.

Step 4: Take a Selfie

The app will ask you to take a selfie to confirm your identity. Once your details are verified, your e-passport-based Verifiable Credential (VC) will be saved in the Digi Yatra wallet.

Step 5: Upload Your Boarding Pass

Add your international flight boarding pass to the Digi Yatra app.

Step 6: Use Digi Yatra at the Airport

At the airport, you’ll still need to get your travel documents checked by the airline. After that, you can use facial recognition at the designated Digi Yatra-enabled checkpoints, subject to infrastructure availability.

Will You Still Need Your Passport and Immigration Checks?

Yes. Even if you’re using Digi Yatra, you still need to carry your passport, visa (if required), and other travel documents. You’ll also have to complete mandatory immigration procedures and airline document checks.

Digi Yatra is simply meant to make moving through designated airport checkpoints more convenient. It doesn’t replace the mandatory travel formalities you need to complete before flying abroad.

How Can Digi Yatra Make International Travel Easier?

Anyone who has travelled through a busy international airport knows how tiring long queues and repeated document checks can be. Digi Yatra aims to make some of these steps easier. Here’s how it could help:

• Less waiting at airport entry: Facial recognition may help you get through Digi Yatra-enabled entry points faster.
• Reduced need for repeated document presentation: Facial recognition can help verify your identity at participating checkpoints, reducing the need to repeatedly present your boarding pass at supported touchpoints.
• Simpler boarding: At supported boarding gates, your face can be used to verify your identity through biometric authentication.
• Easy identity verification: Your e-passport details can be verified digitally when you create your Verifiable Credential through the app.
• A more comfortable airport experience: Spending less time on repeated checks could make the journey feel less stressful.

The service is still in its early stages. How much time it actually saves will depend on the airport and how well the system works during the trials.

When Will Digi Yatra Be Available for More International Flights?

The government is planning a wider rollout of Digi Yatra for international travel in 2027. For now, the focus is on testing the service at seven airports and collecting feedback from passengers. This will help officials understand what needs to be improved before making it available more widely.

There are also plans to bring domestic Digi Yatra services to another 25 Indian airports by 2027. Meanwhile, Digi Yatra has already gained traction across India’s domestic aviation network. The platform has more than 26.5 million users and has facilitated over 110 million journeys across 39 domestic airports.

The international project will explore interoperability with global frameworks such as IATA’s One ID and ICAO’s Public Key Directory (PKD). These could help make cross-border digital identity verification more seamless and secure in the future. Passenger consent, privacy and security will also remain important considerations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Digi Yatra for international flights in India?

Yes, but the service is still being tested. It’s currently available to eligible Indian nationals with e-passports on selected Air India and IndiGo flights at seven Indian airports.

Do I need an e-passport to use Digi Yatra for international travel?

Yes. An Indian e-passport is required for the current international Digi Yatra trials.

Can I travel internationally without carrying my passport if I use Digi Yatra?

No. You must carry your passport and complete all the usual immigration and airline checks.

Which airlines are part of the Digi Yatra international trials?

Air India and IndiGo are taking part in the trials on selected international flights.

When will Digi Yatra be available for all international flights?

The government plans a wider rollout in 2027, but there’s no confirmed date for when it will be available on all international flights.

The post Digi Yatra for International Flights: Trials Begin at 7 Indian Airports, Wider Rollout Planned for 2027 appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.

Air travelers in India now have another identity option when using Digi Yatra. The digital airport platform has added the Driving Licence as a verified identity credential in the Digi Yatra App. Passengers can securely access their Driving Licence through DigiLocker and add it to their Digi Yatra Wallet. The update gives travelers greater control over how they verify their identity for contactless airport entry and passenger processing.

What Is the New Digi Yatra Driving Licence Feature?

Digi Yatra allows passengers to move through participating airport checkpoints using facial recognition and a verified digital identity. Until now, many passengers used Aadhaar to create their Digi Yatra identity. With the latest update, travelers can also use a Driving Licence accessed through DigiLocker. The new option allows:

• New users to register with Aadhaar or a Driving Licence
• Existing users to add a Driving Licence to their Digi Yatra Wallet
• Passengers to keep both credentials in the app
• Users to choose either credential as their Primary Credential

Can Travelers Use Digi Yatra Without Aadhaar?

Yes. New users can now choose a Driving Licence instead of Aadhaar when registering for Digi Yatra. The update does not remove Aadhaar from the app. It simply gives passengers another government-issued identity option. Travelers who already use Aadhaar can continue using it. Those who prefer a Driving Licence can add it through DigiLocker and select it as their main credential.

Can Passengers Keep Both Aadhaar and Driving Licence?

Yes. Digi Yatra users can keep both Aadhaar and Driving Licence credentials in their wallet. Passengers who have both can choose either one as their Primary Credential. Digi Yatra uses the selected credential to match the passenger’s name with the name on the boarding pass. This flexibility gives travelers more choice and reduces dependence on a single identity document.

Is Digi Yatra Mandatory for Airport Travel?

No. Digi Yatra remains voluntary. Passengers who do not want to use the app can continue using the regular airport entry and security process. They can present an accepted physical or digital identity document along with their boarding pass, subject to airport and airline rules. Digi Yatra provides an optional contactless route at participating airports. It does not replace the standard passenger-processing system.

Where Is Digi Yatra Available?

Digi Yatra is currently operational at 39 airports across India. The platform has recorded more than 25.5 million app downloads and has supported over 105 million passenger journeys.

However, Digi Yatra may not be available at every airport, terminal, gate or checkpoint. Travelers should confirm that their departure airport and terminal support Digi Yatra before relying on the service. Passengers should also keep a valid identity document and boarding pass available as a backup.

Digi Yatra Plans to Begin International Travel Trials

Digi Yatra is also preparing to test its technology for international travel. The platform has completed an international travel proof of concept aligned with International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards. It plans to begin live international trials as part of its future expansion.

Digi Yatra also plans to support passport-based verifiable credentials. This could allow passengers to use the same privacy-focused identity system for certain international travel processes in the future. These features are part of the platform’s roadmap and are not yet available for regular international travel.

Digi Yatra’s Driving Licence integration gives passengers more flexibility when using contactless airport services in India. Before heading to the airport, travelers should update the app, confirm that Digi Yatra is available at their terminal and ensure that the name on their identity credential matches the name on their boarding pass.

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