Hyderabad: IndiGo and Digi Yatra have launched international passenger trials at seven Indian airports, extending contactless biometric travel beyond domestic flights. The Digi Yatra trials began in late October and will continue through December 2026. The initiative covers international departures from Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar.
The beta programme allows eligible Indian nationals with valid e-passports to use biometric authentication at airport entry, security hold areas and boarding gates. Passengers can generate an international digital identity through the Digi Yatra app. The process involves scanning the passport’s Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) and reading its embedded chip through Near Field Communication (NFC).
After biometric verification, a secure Verifiable Credential is stored locally in the passenger’s smartphone wallet. The system keeps personal data decentralised and under the passenger’s control. Travellers can upload their boarding passes to the app for contactless terminal entry.
Passengers must complete mandatory document verification at airline check-in counters. They can then use facial authentication at security hold areas and boarding gates. The trials aim to make international airport departures more convenient while maintaining security and operational efficiency.
IndiGo and Digi Yatra expand digital identity technology
Neetan Chopra, IndiGo’s Chief Digital and Information Officer, said technology could make air travel more seamless and customer-focused. He said the airline had participated in a technical proof of concept earlier this year. Chopra described the international trials as a significant step in extending secure digital identity and biometric technology to international departures.
He said the deployment would combine convenience, security and operational efficiency. IndiGo also aims to improve the passenger experience across airport touchpoints through technology.
Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of Digi Yatra Foundation, said the platform had simplified domestic air travel through digital identity. The international trials mark an important step towards extending the experience to eligible Indian travellers. He said interoperability with international frameworks would remain important.
These include the International Air Transport Association’s One ID initiative and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Public Key Directory. Such frameworks could help explore secure passenger journeys using e-passport-based digital credentials across borders. Khadakbhavi stressed that passenger consent, privacy and security would remain central.
The trials are available to Indian nationals holding valid e-passports on select international IndiGo flights.
