Indian e-passport holders travelling on select Air India and IndiGo international flights can test biometric-enabled airport access; trials underway at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin and Amritsar

New Delhi, November 1, 2026: India’s digital aviation initiative, Digi Yatra, has begun trials for international passengers at seven major airports, extending its technology-enabled airport journey beyond domestic air travel. The trials, running from November to December 2026, will allow eligible Indian nationals holding e-passports to use digital verification at designated airport touchpoints while travelling on select international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo.

The initiative is aimed at gathering passenger feedback and assessing operational requirements before a wider international rollout planned for 2027.

The trials are being conducted at:

• Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
• Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru
• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad
• Cochin International Airport, Kochi
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
• Chennai International Airport, Chennai
• Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar

Eligible passengers can use Digi Yatra at terminal entry points, Security Hold Areas (SHA) and boarding gates wherever the necessary infrastructure is available.

How International Passengers Can Use Digi Yatra

To access the international trial facility, eligible Indian nationals must create an e-passport-based Verifiable Credential (VC) through the Digi Yatra mobile application.

The registration process involves scanning the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of the e-passport, reading its embedded electronic chip through the Near Field Communication (NFC) feature of a compatible smartphone, capturing a selfie and verifying the passenger details.

Once generated, the credential is securely stored in the passenger’s Digi Yatra wallet on their device and can be used at airport touchpoints participating in the trials.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has clarified that Digi Yatra will complement existing travel procedures rather than replace them. Passengers must continue carrying their travel documents and complete mandatory airline document verification, immigration procedures and other applicable formalities.

Digi Yatra’s Expanding Aviation Network

The international trials build on the growing adoption of Digi Yatra across India’s domestic aviation network.

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the platform has recorded:

26.5 million+

Registered users

110 million+

Journeys enabled

39

Domestic airports covered

25

Additional domestic airports planned by 2027

The expansion reflects the government’s continued focus on using digital technology to improve airport operations, passenger facilitation and the overall air travel experience under the Digital India initiative.

Key Highlights

• International trials launched: Digi Yatra begins international passenger trials from November to December 2026.
• Seven airports covered: Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar.
• Eligible passengers: Indian nationals holding e-passports travelling on select international Air India and IndiGo flights.
• Biometric-enabled verification: E-passport-based Verifiable Credentials will facilitate digital verification at designated airport touchpoints.
• Three airport touchpoints: Terminal entry, Security Hold Areas and boarding gates, subject to infrastructure availability.
• 2027 expansion: Passenger feedback and trial outcomes will guide the wider international rollout.
• Domestic adoption: More than 26.5 million users and 110 million journeys across 39 domestic airports.

Impact on Hospitality, Travel & Tourism

1. Improved international travel experience

The expansion of Digi Yatra could make airport journeys more convenient for eligible international passengers. Reduced dependence on repeated manual identity checks at participating touchpoints may contribute to a smoother airport experience, particularly for frequent business and leisure travellers.

2. Positive implications for hotels and hospitality businesses

More streamlined international airport processes can complement the guest journey, particularly for luxury hotels, business hotels and airport hospitality operators catering to international travellers. A more seamless arrival experience can support the overall perception of India’s tourism infrastructure.

3. Strengthening India’s international tourism appeal

Digital passenger facilitation is an important component of modern aviation infrastructure. As India seeks to attract more international tourists, technology-enabled airport services can contribute to a more convenient travel experience and strengthen the country’s positioning as an accessible tourism destination.

4. Opportunities for airport hospitality services

Airports are increasingly becoming integrated travel and hospitality hubs, with hotels, lounges, restaurants, retail outlets and premium passenger services forming an important part of the airport ecosystem. Improved passenger processing could complement the development of these services.

5. Business travel and MICE tourism

Smoother airport experiences can support India’s business travel and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) ecosystem. International delegates, corporate travellers and conference participants stand to benefit from improvements in airport facilitation.

6. Greater integration of digital travel services

The expansion of digital identity verification could encourage wider adoption of technology across the travel ecosystem, including airline services, airport operations and hospitality-related passenger services.

Industry Takeaway

Digi Yatra’s international expansion marks an important development in India’s efforts to modernise its aviation infrastructure and improve passenger facilitation.

For the hospitality and tourism industry, airport convenience is an important part of the overall visitor experience. As international passenger trials progress towards a wider rollout in 2027, digital airport services could complement India’s broader efforts to strengthen international connectivity, attract foreign visitors and support growth in business and leisure travel.