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India has taken another step towards digitising its international air travel experience, with Digi Yatra commencing international passenger trials at seven airports across the country. The initiative, being conducted from November to December 2026, will enable eligible Indian nationals holding electronic passports (e-passports) to use biometric-enabled digital verification at designated airport touchpoints when travelling on selected international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo.
The trials mark an expansion of Digi Yatra beyond domestic aviation, where the platform has already been adopted at airports across India to facilitate contactless passenger processing. The initiative is designed to simplify airport procedures, reduce reliance on repeated physical document checks at participating touchpoints and improve the overall passenger experience.
The seven participating airports are Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar. Eligible passengers will be able to access Digi Yatra-enabled facilities at terminal entry points, Security Hold Areas (SHA) and boarding gates, subject to the availability of the necessary infrastructure.
Passenger feedback gathered during the trial period will help the authorities assess operational requirements and plan a wider expansion of the facility in 2027.
E-Passport-Based Digital Verification
To use the international trial facility, eligible Indian nationals must first generate an e-passport-based Verifiable Credential (VC) through the Digi Yatra mobile application.
The registration process involves scanning the passport’s Machine Readable Zone (MRZ), reading its embedded electronic chip using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology on a compatible smartphone, capturing a selfie and completing identity verification.
Once verified, the digital credential is securely stored in the passenger’s Digi Yatra wallet on their device. It can subsequently be presented at participating airport touchpoints equipped to support the international trial programme.
The system is intended to facilitate digital identity verification and streamline passenger movement through selected airport processes.
Existing Travel and Immigration Procedures Remain Mandatory
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has clarified that Digi Yatra will complement existing international travel procedures rather than replace them.
Passengers must continue to carry their valid passports and other applicable travel documents. They will also be required to complete all mandatory airline document checks, immigration formalities and other regulatory procedures.
The digital facility is therefore intended to improve passenger processing at participating airport checkpoints without changing the existing requirements governing international travel.
Air India and IndiGo Participate in the Trials
Air India and IndiGo are the airline partners for the initial phase, with the facility being tested on selected international departures from the seven participating airports.
The programme will provide an opportunity to evaluate the integration of digital identity verification into international departure processes and assess passenger responses before any broader implementation.
The expansion also represents an important development in India’s efforts to modernise airport infrastructure and introduce technology-driven passenger services.
Digi Yatra’s Growing Footprint in Indian Aviation
Digi Yatra has established a growing presence across India’s domestic aviation network. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the platform has more than 26.5 million users and has facilitated over 110 million passenger journeysacross 39 domestic airports.
The government plans to extend Digi Yatra coverage to another 25 domestic airports by 2027, further expanding its reach across the country’s aviation network.
The international passenger trials represent the next phase of this expansion, with the feedback and operational experience gathered during the programme expected to guide future implementation.
As India continues to invest in airport modernisation and digital aviation infrastructure, the extension of Digi Yatra to international departures could contribute to a more integrated and efficient passenger journey, while laying the groundwork for wider adoption of digital identity solutions in air travel.
