Govt Extends Digi Yatra Initiative to 14 More Airports

With an aim to enhance the passenger experience and streamline airport processes, the government is planning to expand the Digi Yatra Initiative, to 14 additional airports in the near future. And the facility will also be made available exclusively for foreign nationals, marking a significant advancement in leveraging technology for seamless air travel.

Currently operational at 13 airports across the country, Digi Yatra facilitates contactless and hassle-free movement of passengers through various checkpoints at airports using facial recognition technology.

Which airports will get Digi Yatra?

The expansion plans include starting Digi Yatra at Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Coimbatore and several other airports by March this year. Dabolim, Mopa Goa, Indore, Bagdogra, Chandigarh, Ranchi, Nagpur, Patna, Raipur, Srinagar and Visakhapatnam are also in the list of airports earmarked for implementation of Digi Yatra.

Further, the initiative is planned to be expanded to 11 more airports by 2025, showcasing the government's commitment to modernising air travel infrastructure.

Government to launch e-passport based enrolment

In the upcoming plans, the government intends to introduce e-passport based enrolment, which will enable foreign nationals to avail the Digi Yatra facility seamlessly.

Highlighting the success of Digi Yatra so far, the officials pointed to a significant increase in the number of app users from December 2022 to November 2023. That the app has contributed to reducing the processing time for passengers at the entry and boarding gates. and further improving the overall travel experience.

Everything you need to know about Digi Yatra:

Launched in December 2022, Digi Yatra has gradually expanded its footprint to major airports in India including Delhi, Bengaluru, Varanasi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Vijayawada, Pune, Mumbai, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, and Guwahati. The initiative leverages Aadhaar-based verification and facial recognition technology to securely store passenger data and expedite airport processes.

Passengers opting for Digi Yatra will have to enter their details on the Digi Yatra App and scan their boarding pass on arrival at the airport. The facial recognition system at the e-gate then validates the passenger's identity and travel document, thereby enabling seamless entry into the airport premises.

Digi Travel operates under strict data privacy measures, wherein passenger information is stored in an encrypted format. Digi Yatra Foundation, a non-profit organisation, acts as the nodal agency overseeing the implementation and operation of the initiative.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that participation in Digi Yatra for air passengers is voluntary. This reaffirmation underscores the government's commitment to ensuring passenger privacy and security amid technological advancements in air travel.