Digi Yatra has launched trials for international passengers at seven Indian airports, allowing eligible Indian e-passport holders to access digital airport facilities. The November-December 2026 pilot aims to improve passenger convenience and support a wider international rollout in 2027.
India has taken another significant step towards digital transformation in the aviation sector, with the Digi Yatra facility beginning trials for international passengers at seven major airports across the country. The initiative aims to simplify airport procedures and improve passenger convenience through biometric-enabled digital verification for eligible Indian nationals travelling on selected international flights.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sunday, the trials will continue from November to December 2026. Indian nationals holding valid e-passports will be able to use the Digi Yatra facility at designated airport touchpoints while travelling on select international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo.
The trials are being conducted at seven airports: Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar. Eligible passengers will be able to access the facility at terminal entry points, Security Hold Areas (SHA) and boarding gates wherever the necessary infrastructure is available.
The ministry said feedback collected during the trial period would help authorities assess the system’s performance, identify operational requirements and prepare for a broader rollout in 2027.
To use the facility, eligible Indian passport holders must first create an e-passport-based Verifiable Credential (VC) through the Digi Yatra mobile application. The process involves several digital verification steps designed to establish the passenger’s identity securely.
Passengers are required to scan the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of their e-passport using the Digi Yatra application. They must then read the electronic chip embedded in the passport through the Near Field Communication (NFC) feature of a compatible smartphone. After completing these steps, passengers need to capture a selfie and verify the information to generate their digital credential.
Once created, the Verifiable Credential is stored in the passenger’s Digi Yatra wallet on their mobile device. It can subsequently be used at airport touchpoints equipped to support the international passenger trials.
The initiative is expected to provide a more convenient digital experience by reducing the need for repeated identity verification at participating airport checkpoints. It also represents an expansion of the Digi Yatra platform beyond its existing domestic aviation applications.
However, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has clarified that the facility is intended to complement existing travel procedures rather than replace them. Passengers must continue carrying their original travel documents and complete all mandatory airline document checks, immigration procedures and other applicable travel formalities.
The ministry’s clarification is particularly important for international travellers, as the introduction of digital identity verification does not remove existing passport, visa or immigration requirements. All passengers must comply with the regulations applicable to their respective international journeys.
Meanwhile, Digi Yatra has continued to expand its presence across India’s domestic aviation network. According to the ministry, the platform currently has more than 26.5 million users and has facilitated over 110 million journeys across 39 domestic airports.
The government is also planning to extend the platform to another 25 domestic airports by 2027, further increasing the availability of digital passenger services across the country.
The expansion reflects the government’s broader strategy of using technology to improve airport operations, strengthen passenger services and make air travel more convenient. The initiative is also aligned with the objectives of the Digital India programme and the vision of improving the overall ease of flying.
The international passenger trials are expected to provide valuable insights into the practical implementation of e-passport-based digital verification at Indian airports. Authorities will assess passenger feedback, infrastructure readiness and operational requirements before deciding on the wider introduction of the facility.
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With the latest initiative, India is moving towards a more technology-driven aviation ecosystem, where digital identity verification can support smoother airport experiences while maintaining existing security and immigration requirements. The proposed wider rollout in 2027 could mark another important development in the country’s efforts to modernise international passenger processing.
