India Launches Digi Yatra Trial for International Travelers at Seven Airports
Digi Yatra pilot program for international travelers begins at seven Indian airports, aiming for a broader rollout in 2027.
New Delhi, November 1 (Daily Kiran) : As part of its push for digital transformation in aviation, India has launched a trial of the Digi Yatra program for international travelers. Running from November to December 2026, this pilot initiative allows eligible Indian citizens to utilize Digi Yatra services on select international flights. Feedback from this trial will inform a wider rollout planned for 2027, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The trial is being conducted at major airports including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Amritsar. During this period, passengers can access Digi Yatra services at key locations such as terminal entrances, security hold areas, and boarding gates, where the necessary digital infrastructure is in place.
Currently, the service is available only to Indian citizens holding e-passports traveling on selected international flights operated by Air India or IndiGo. Travelers must prepare verifiable credentials (VC) through the Digi Yatra mobile app, which involves scanning the machine-readable zone (MRZ) of their e-passport, reading the chip with an NFC-enabled smartphone, uploading a selfie, and verifying their identity. Once verified, these digital credentials will be securely stored in the Digi Yatra wallet for use at designated airport touchpoints.
Despite the convenience offered by Digi Yatra, passengers are still required to carry all essential travel documents. Document checks by airlines, immigration procedures, and other mandatory formalities will continue as usual. Thus, while the Digi Yatra service aims to streamline the travel experience, it does not replace existing security and legal processes.
The use of Digi Yatra is on the rise, with over 26.5 million registered users and more than 110 million journeys completed across 39 domestic airports. The government plans to connect an additional 25 domestic airports to the Digi Yatra network by 2027.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation emphasizes that this initiative aligns with the vision of “Digital India” and “Ease of Flying,” aiming to provide passengers with a faster, safer, and hassle-free travel experience while enhancing airport operations.
