India Launches Digi Yatra International Trials at Seven Airports
India has commenced international trials for the Digi Yatra digital processing system at seven major airports for select Air India and IndiGo flights.
Traveller Impact
Eligible Indian nationals with e-passports can now test paperless biometric boarding on specific international routes through December 2026.
Why This Matters
The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has officially launched international trials for the Digi Yatra platform, a biometric-enabled digital processing system designed to streamline airport transit. Running from November through December 2026, the trials are being conducted at seven key airports: Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai, and Amritsar. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the government's 'Digital India' initiative, aiming to reduce wait times and enhance the overall passenger experience.
During this trial phase, the service is limited to eligible Indian nationals holding e-passports who are travelling on select international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo. The system utilizes facial recognition technology to automate identity verification at various touchpoints, such as entry gates and security checkpoints. While the technology is designed to increase efficiency, it is currently positioned as a supplementary process rather than a replacement for traditional immigration and security protocols.
Who Is Affected
Indian nationals holding valid e-passports who are booked on specific international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo from the seven participating airports are eligible to participate in these trials.
What Travellers Should Do
Verify if your specific flight is included in the Digi Yatra international trial program by checking the official Digi Yatra website or your airline's portal.
Ensure your e-passport is valid and registered within the Digi Yatra app prior to arriving at the airport.
Continue to carry all physical travel documents, including your passport and boarding pass, as the system does not replace mandatory immigration and airline document checks.
Follow signage at the airport to locate designated Digi Yatra touchpoints, which are separate from standard processing lanes.
Makutet Insight
Makutet anticipates that the successful integration of international biometric processing will significantly reduce congestion at major Indian hubs by 2027. We expect that once the trial concludes, the government will likely move to expand the service to include foreign nationals, provided that data privacy and international security standards are fully met and verified.
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