DigiYatra, a cutting-edge mobile application-based facility, has been making waves in the aviation sector since its launch by the Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia on December 1, 2022. This innovative platform, initiated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, aims to revolutionize the air travel experience by offering a contactless and seamless process for passengers at airports. The facility is now set to expand its presence by launching at six more airports in India: Mumbai, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Guwahati.
Mumbai Joins DigiYatra’s Contactless Journey
#1MillionTravelersOnDigiYatra
DigiYatra service was initially started at Delhi, Bengaluru & Varanasi Airports which has now been extended to four more airports. Plans are afoot to take it to 14.#DigiYatra #AirTravel #seamlesstravel pic.twitter.com/0Z1RC7KhY2— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) July 15, 2023
This expansion will bring the total number of DigiYatra-enabled airports to 13, building upon its phased implementation and installation of infrastructure. DigiYatra was first introduced at the New Delhi, Varanasi, and Bengaluru airports. It has since been implemented at four additional airports: Vijayawada, Pune, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, extending the count to seven airports. As of August 10, 2023, the DigiYatra facility had been embraced by 3,460,454 passengers. During the same period, the user base for the DigiYatra mobile application reached 1.29 million individuals.
DigiYatra operates through a mobile application, utilising Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) to facilitate the contactless and seamless processing of passengers at various checkpoints within airports. Moreover, this technology leverages passengers’ facial features to validate their identity and travel information. It allows them to navigate through the airport without the need for physical documents.
Also Read: Gulab Jamun Churros, Anyone? This Mumbai Sweet Shop Has This Unique Dessert & We Wanna Dig In NOW
Mobile-Based ID Platform Gains Momentum
Hassle-free flying has a new address. Transformational technology in air travel, #DigiYatra was launched at @lkoairport by Sh Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation. Now, passengers can go from the entrance of the airport till the security check, in minutes. pic.twitter.com/Txsb8Nzemh
— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) August 12, 2023
One significant aspect of the DigiYatra process is the emphasis on privacy and data security. The system does not centrally store passengers’ Personally Identifiable Information (PII) data. Instead, the encrypted data remains stored within passengers’ smartphones’ wallets. The data is solely shared between the traveller and the airport of travel origin, where the DigiYatra ID must be validated.
Furthermore, this data is purged from the airport’s system within 24 hours of the flight’s departure. The sharing of data is limited to the passenger’s travel instances and solely with the origin airport. Consequently, this approach ensures a secure and privacy-focused experience for travellers utilising the DigiYatra facility. As the aviation industry continues to evolve and embrace technological advancements, DigiYatra stands as proof of innovation.
By offering a secure, contactless, and convenient experience, DigiYatra is poised to reshape the way passengers navigate airports.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons