Digi Yatra is taking its digital passenger processing system beyond domestic travel, with international passenger trials beginning at seven Indian airports. The three-month programme will run from October to December 2026 and will allow eligible Indian nationals with e-passports to use Digi Yatra while flying internationally on Air India and IndiGo.
Seven airports included in the trial
The international trials will cover Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar airports.
Eligible passengers will be able to use Digi Yatra at enabled touchpoints such as terminal entry points, security hold areas and boarding gates, depending on the infrastructure available at each airport.
The trial will cover all international destinations served by Air India and selected international destinations served by IndiGo. However, the facility will initially be restricted to Indian nationals holding e-passports.
How passengers can use Digi Yatra for international travel
Passengers eligible for the trial will need to create an e-passport-based Verifiable Credential through the Digi Yatra mobile application.
The process involves scanning the Machine Readable Zone of the e-passport and reading the information stored in its embedded chip using a compatible smartphone’s Near Field Communication feature. Passengers will then need to capture a selfie and verify their details.
Once generated, the digital credential will be stored in the passenger’s Digi Yatra wallet on their device. It can subsequently be used at participating airport touchpoints during the trial, subject to the availability of the required infrastructure.
Travel documents and immigration checks still required
The international Digi Yatra facility will not replace existing travel requirements.
Passengers will still have to carry their passports and other required travel documents and complete mandatory airline document checks, immigration procedures and other formalities. The digital credential is intended to simplify processing at participating airport touchpoints rather than eliminate existing border or travel checks.
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Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of the Digi Yatra Foundation, said the international trials mark an important step towards extending digital identity-based passenger processing to Indians travelling abroad. The foundation is also looking at interoperability with international frameworks such as the International Air Transport Association’s One ID and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Public Key Directory.
Digi Yatra app gets a redesign
Alongside the international trials, Digi Yatra has introduced a redesigned version of its mobile application.
The updated app features a cleaner interface, simpler navigation, improved boarding pass displays and a more structured credential wallet. It also includes clearer indicators for guardian and minor credentials.
The consent screen has also been redesigned to make it easier for passengers to understand what information they are sharing, who it is being shared with and the purpose of the sharing.
Wider rollout may follow in 2027
The international trials will provide Digi Yatra with an opportunity to assess how e-passport-based digital credentials work for international departures before a wider expansion.
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Digi Yatra currently has more than 26.5 million users and has enabled over 110 million journeys, according to the foundation. The platform operates at 39 domestic airports and serves 11 domestic airlines. Another 25 domestic airports are planned to be added by 2027.
The international trial is expected to continue through December, with passenger feedback playing a role in determining how Digi Yatra’s international services could expand in 2027.SEO headline: Digi Yatra starts international trials at 7 airports