India to Pilot Digi Yatra for International Flights at Five Airports

India is set to begin trials for its Digi Yatra system for international departures at five major airports in late 2026. This initiative aims to streamline the passenger experience by reducing manual checks and introducing digital identity verification. The pilot program, scheduled from October to December 2026, will initially focus on the departure process, including terminal entry, security screening, and potentially access to boarding gates. While this marks a significant step towards digital travel, it’s important to note that immigration clearance will continue under the existing process during this initial phase.

Digi Yatra International Trial Details

The upcoming pilot program will involve testing the Digi Yatra system for international travelers at five airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Cochin. Delhi and Mumbai are expected to be among the first to implement the facility. The primary goal of this trial is to reduce the number of manual checks passengers encounter before reaching immigration. This means travelers might experience a smoother journey through the airport’s departure gates.

How the International Digi Yatra Will Work

Unlike the domestic Digi Yatra, which uses Aadhaar-based registration, the international pilot will utilize e-passports. Passengers will scan the first page of their e-passport, which contains a chip. This chip can be accessed using a phone or an airport reader via NFC technology. The photograph stored on the chip will then be matched with a selfie taken by the passenger. This process will create a digital travel ID that can be used at various checkpoints within the airport.

The system is designed to verify a traveler’s identity by linking their passport details and facial recognition before they reach the immigration counter. However, this initial phase will not replace the essential immigration checks required for international travel. The focus is on improving the pre-immigration journey.

Airports Included in the Pilot

The five airports selected for this international departure pilot are:

• Delhi: Expected to be one of the first airports to implement the facility.
• Mumbai: Also slated to be among the initial locations for the trial.
• Bengaluru: Included in the first group of airports for the test.
• Hyderabad: Part of the international departure pilot program.
• Cochin: Also included in the same test group for international departures.

The trials are planned to run from October to December 2026. The scope of this first stage is limited to terminal entry, security checks, and possibly boarding gates. Immigration integration and processing for arrivals are not part of this initial rollout. This phased approach allows airport authorities to test the system’s effectiveness in specific areas before connecting it to more complex systems like immigration.

Domestic Digi Yatra Success

The Digi Yatra system has already seen considerable success in domestic travel. Across 24 domestic airports, it has facilitated over 45 million passenger journeys. More than 11 million users have registered for the service. This extensive experience with domestic travelers provides a solid foundation for the international trial. The core concept of using digital identity for smoother airport navigation remains the same, but the international version adapts to the requirements of e-passports and international travel protocols.

E-Boarding Passes Also Introduced

In addition to the Digi Yatra trials, India has also introduced e-boarding passes. These have been accepted at immigration counters since September 1, 2026. While e-boarding passes address the travel document presented at immigration, the Digi Yatra pilot focuses on identity verification and streamlining movement within the airport before reaching immigration. Together, these measures represent a move towards a more digital travel experience, though a fully integrated digital process from entry to arrival is still some time away. The Airports Authority of India is also undertaking a broader initiative called “Yatri Seva Abhiyan 2026” to improve overall passenger services.

Frequently Asked Questions