Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Digi Yatra Plans International Departure Pilot at Five Indian Airports
Digi Yatra is a system that lets airport passengers use their faces and phones instead of showing many paper documents.
It is planning a test for people taking international flights.
The test will happen at five Indian airports between October and December this year.
Passengers will scan their e-passports and take a selfie.
This will create a digital travel pass on their phones.
The system will initially help with entering the terminal and passing security.
Immigration checks will still happen separately.
Air India and IndiGo are expected to join the test.
Both Indian citizens and foreign visitors may be able to use it for international flights.
A pilot for international departures is planned between October and December at airports in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kochi and Mumbai.
Passengers will use e-passports, facial biometrics and a selfie to create a digital travel credential on their phones.
The initial pilot will cover terminal entry and security clearance, while immigration will remain separate.
Air India and IndiGo are expected to participate, serving Indian and foreign international travelers.
Digi Yatra previously demonstrated an international biometric travel process at Bengaluru airport in April.
- Who
- Digi Yatra Foundation, with expected participation from Air India and IndiGo, will conduct the pilot for Indian and foreign international travelers.
- What
- A pilot will extend Digi Yatra's facial recognition and e-passport system to international departures.
- When
- The pilot is planned between October and December this year; an earlier demonstration took place in April.
- Where
- Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kochi and Mumbai airports; the earlier demonstration was held at Bengaluru airport.
- Why
- The expansion is intended to enable a more contactless departure process with fewer physical document checks.
- Pilot airports
- Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kochi and Mumbai
- Planned timing
- October to December this year
- Technology
- E-passport scanning, facial biometrics and selfie verification
- Digital credential
- Created after identity verification and stored on the passenger's phone
- Initial functions
- International terminal entry and security clearance
- Excluded initially
- Immigration procedures will remain separate
- Expected airline participants
- Air India and IndiGo