Digi Yatra International Flights: 7 Airports, Eligibility and Features

India is expanding its digital aviation infrastructure with the introduction of Digi Yatra trials for international passengers. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has initiated trials at seven major Indian airports, enabling eligible Indian nationals travelling on selected Air India and IndiGo international flights to experience contactless airport processing.

The initiative uses facial recognition technology (FRT) and chip-enabled e-passports to make passenger identification faster and more convenient. It is an important step towards paperless international travel and the development of Digital Travel Credentials (DTC).

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What is Digi Yatra?

Digi Yatra is a biometric-based digital passenger processing system that uses Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) to provide a seamless, paperless and contactless airport experience.

It allows passengers to verify their identity through facial recognition at designated airport checkpoints, reducing the need for repeated physical verification of travel documents.

Its key feature is the Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) model, under which passengers retain control over their identity credentials through a digital wallet on their smartphones rather than storing all personal data in a centralised database.

Digi Yatra: Background and Development

• 2018: The Ministry of Civil Aviation established policy standards for the Digi Yatra initiative.

• 1 December 2022: The service was launched for domestic passengers at Delhi, Bengaluru and Varanasi airports.

• Expansion: The initiative was gradually extended to additional domestic airports.

• Current coverage: The programme covers 39 domestic airports, with plans to add 25 more by 2027, according to the provided figures.

• International expansion: Trials have started at seven airports for eligible Indian international passengers.

International Digi Yatra Trials: Seven Airports

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has initiated international passenger trials at the following seven airports:

1. Indira Gandhi International Airport – Delhi

2. Kempegowda International Airport – Bengaluru

3. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport – Hyderabad

4. Cochin International Airport – Kochi

5. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport – Mumbai

6. Chennai International Airport – Chennai

7. Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport – Amritsar

Eligibility: Initially, the facility is available to Indian nationals holding chip-enabled e-passports travelling on selected international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo.

How Does Digi Yatra Work for International Passengers?

The international Digi Yatra process combines facial recognition technology with electronic passport verification.

1. Passport Verification

Passengers scan the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of their e-passport using the Digi Yatra application.

2. NFC-Based Chip Reading

The smartphone reads the embedded electronic chip in the passport using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.

3. Digital Credential Creation

Verified passport information is used to create digital travel credentials associated with the passenger’s identity.

4. Facial Recognition

At designated airport checkpoints, facial recognition technology matches the passenger’s face with the registered digital identity.

5. Contactless Processing

Passengers can use designated e-gates and biometric checkpoints for faster identity verification.

Key Features of Digi Yatra

Data Privacy and Security

Privacy protection is an important component of Digi Yatra.

• Passenger credentials are stored in an encrypted digital wallet on the user’s smartphone.

• The system follows a decentralised identity framework rather than relying on a centralised repository of passenger credentials.

• Airport-shared passenger data is deleted within 24 hours of departure, according to the stated data-retention framework.

• Facial recognition is used to facilitate passenger identification at designated airport checkpoints.

International Standards and Technology

Digi Yatra’s international expansion is aligned with important global aviation standards.

1. IATA One ID

The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) One ID initiative promotes a contactless and seamless passenger journey using digital identity verification and biometric technology.

2. ICAO Public Key Directory (PKD)

The International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Public Key Directory facilitates the verification of electronic travel documents, including e-passports, through the exchange of digital certificates.

3. Digital Travel Credentials (DTC)

Digital Travel Credentials enable essential passport-related identity information to be represented digitally, supporting more efficient and interoperable international travel processes.

Benefits and Significance of Digi Yatra

1. Faster Airport Processing: Facial recognition can reduce identity verification to approximately 5–10 seconds at designated e-gates.

2. Improved Passenger Experience: Reduces repeated manual document checks and facilitates contactless airport processing.

3. Digital Transformation: Supports India’s broader Digital India initiative and the modernisation of aviation infrastructure.

4. International Interoperability: Alignment with global aviation standards can facilitate the future adoption of digital travel credentials across international borders.

5. Operational Efficiency: Reduces the time required for passenger identification and can help manage congestion at busy airports.

6. Enhanced Convenience: Provides a more seamless travel experience for eligible international passengers.

Limitations of Digi Yatra

Despite its advantages, Digi Yatra does not replace the existing legal and regulatory requirements of international travel.

• Passengers must still carry their valid physical passports.

• Visa requirements remain applicable.

• Immigration clearance is still mandatory.

• Airlines continue to conduct their required passenger and travel-document checks.

• The facility is currently limited to eligible passengers, designated airports and selected international flights.

Digi Yatra: Important Facts for UPSC Prelims

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