Digi Yatra is set to expand its digital airport services to international passengers, with trials beginning on November 1, 2026. Indian nationals holding e-passports and travelling on eligible Air India and IndiGo international flights will be able to use digital identity credentials at selected airport checkpoints. The trial will continue until December 2026, with a wider rollout planned for 2027 based on passenger feedback and operational results.
The initiative aims to make international airport travel easier by allowing eligible passengers to verify their identity digitally at supported checkpoints, reducing the need for repeated physical document checks.
Seven Indian Airports Selected for Digi Yatra International Trials
The international trial will be introduced at seven major airports across India, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar.
Eligible travellers will be able to use Digi Yatra at supported terminal entry points, security hold areas and boarding gates, depending on the digital infrastructure available at each airport.
The service will cover international destinations operated by Air India, while IndiGo passengers will be able to use it on selected international routes.
However, access will depend on whether the necessary Digi Yatra facilities are operational at the relevant airport checkpoints.
Who Can Use Digi Yatra for International Flights
The trial will initially be available only to Indian citizens holding valid e-passports and travelling on eligible international flights operated by Air India or IndiGo.
Passengers must register their e-passport details through the Digi Yatra mobile application and create a digital identity credential before using the service.
The credential will allow passengers to complete identity verification at supported airport checkpoints without repeatedly presenting their physical documents.
Travellers who do not meet the eligibility requirements can continue using the existing airport entry and verification procedures.
How to Create a Digi Yatra Digital Identity
Passengers participating in the trial must generate an e-passport-based Verifiable Credential through the Digi Yatra application.
The registration process begins by scanning the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) printed on the e-passport.
Passengers must then use a compatible smartphone’s Near Field Communication (NFC) feature to read the electronic chip embedded in the passport.
After this, they will need to take a selfie and complete the required identity verification steps.
Once verified, the digital credential will be saved in the Digi Yatra wallet on the passenger’s smartphone.
This credential can then be used at supported airport checkpoints during the international trial.
Physical Passports and Immigration Checks Still Required
Although Digi Yatra will introduce digital identity verification for international travellers, it will not replace existing travel documentation requirements.
Passengers must continue carrying their physical passports, visas where required, boarding passes and other necessary travel documents.
Airline document verification, immigration clearance and other mandatory international travel procedures will continue as usual.
The digital system is intended to simplify selected airport processes rather than eliminate official security and immigration requirements.
Digi Yatra CEO Highlights Future of Digital International Travel
Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of the Digi Yatra Foundation, said the platform’s success in domestic aviation has created an opportunity to extend digital identity services to international passengers.
He explained that the new trials represent an important step towards providing eligible Indian travellers with a simpler airport experience.
The foundation is also exploring compatibility with international aviation identity systems, including the International Air Transport Association’s One ID framework and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Public Key Directory.
These systems could help support secure digital identity verification across international aviation networks in the future.
Digi Yatra App Introduces New Design and Features
Alongside the international trials, Digi Yatra has introduced an updated mobile application designed to improve navigation and make digital identity management easier.
The redesigned app features a cleaner interface, improved boarding pass displays with airline-specific colours and a more organised digital credential wallet.
It also includes clearer identification of guardian and minor credentials, making it easier for families to manage travel information.
Another important addition is a redesigned consent screen that explains what personal information passengers are sharing, who will receive it and why it is needed.
According to Digi Yatra, these improvements are intended to strengthen transparency, accessibility, privacy and the overall passenger experience.
Digi Yatra Records Over 110 Million Journeys
Digi Yatra has continued to expand its presence across India’s domestic aviation network.
According to figures shared by the Digi Yatra Foundation, the platform has more than 26.5 million registered users and has supported over 110 million passenger journeys.
The service is currently available at 39 domestic airports and supports 11 domestic airlines.
Average passenger adoption across participating airports is approximately 30%, reflecting growing use of digital identity verification in domestic air travel.
The international trial represents the next stage of the platform’s expansion.
Digi Yatra Plans More Airports and Languages by 2027
Digi Yatra is also planning further improvements to its domestic services as part of its expansion strategy.
The application currently supports 11 regional languages, with plans to extend support to all 22 scheduled Indian languages by 2027.
The foundation also aims to introduce Digi Yatra services at another 25 domestic airports during the same period.
These developments are expected to make digital airport services accessible to more passengers across different regions of India.
Feedback collected during the international passenger trials will help determine how the system can be expanded to additional airports, airlines and international routes.
International Trials Mark a New Step for Indian Aviation
The introduction of Digi Yatra for international passengers marks an important development in India’s efforts to modernise airport services through digital technology.
By allowing eligible travellers to use e-passport-based credentials at selected checkpoints, the platform aims to make airport procedures faster and more convenient while maintaining existing security requirements.
The trials beginning on November 1 will help assess passenger experience, technical performance and the readiness of airport infrastructure.
If the programme delivers positive results, Digi Yatra could expand its international services in 2027, bringing digital identity verification to more Indian travellers flying abroad.
