If you have used Digi Yatra to skip repeated ID checks while travelling on domestic flights, then here’s some good news! The facility is now being extended to international departures at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. The airport has started trials that will allow eligible passengers on select international flights to use digital travel credentials and facial recognition at designated touchpoints.
Digi Yatra Goes International At Bengaluru Airport
According to Moneycontrol, the move is part of Digi Yatra‘s International Passenger Trials, which aims to make travel smoother and stress-free. The trials are currently available on the Digi Yatra Beta app, while the update is scheduled to roll out on the regular app from November 1, 2026.
The facility is currently available on select international departures operated by Air India and IndiGo. According to Live Mint, the routes covered at Bengaluru Airport are:
- Air India: AI 133, Bengaluru to London
- IndiGo: 6E 1127, Bengaluru to Malé
- IndiGo: 6E 1037, Bengaluru to Kuala Lumpur
The initial trial will cover airport terminal entry and security checks, with the possibility of extending the facility to boarding gates for select flights. Its availability at different touchpoints will depend on the infrastructure in place.
Also Read: In A Rush At Bengaluru Airport? The Rameshwaram Cafe Now Has Fresh Dosa Wraps For Travellers
How Can Passengers Use Digi Yatra For International Travel?
Unlike the existing domestic travel process, the international trial uses an e-passport to create a digital travel credential. Eligible Indian nationals with e-passports can complete the process through the Digi Yatra mobile app.
Passengers will need to scan the machine-readable zone of their e-passport and use a compatible smartphone’s Near Field Communication (NFC) feature to read the chip embedded in it. They will then have to take a selfie and verify their details.
Once the verification is complete, a digital credential will be stored in the passenger’s Digi Yatra wallet on their device. They can use it at participating airport touchpoints, where facial recognition can help verify their identity and reduce repeated document checks.
However, there is one important thing to remember. Digi Yatra will not replace mandatory immigration or emigration procedures. Passengers must continue to carry their travel documents and complete the required airline document checks and other travel formalities as usual.
Digi Yatra Trials To Expand Beyond Bengaluru
The international passenger trials are not limited to Bengaluru. The programme is being conducted at seven Indian airports: Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar.
The trial programme runs from October through December 2026, with the beta phase already underway ahead of the November 1 rollout. The trials cover all international destinations served by Air India and select destinations served by IndiGo. This is also subject to the participating airport’s infrastructure.
Also Read: Flying Abroad From India? Digi Yatra Could Soon Make International Departures Easier
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
What is Digi Yatra?
Digi Yatra is a digital airport processing system that uses facial recognition technology to help passengers move through designated airport checkpoints with fewer repeated identity checks.
Can Digi Yatra be used for international flights from Bengaluru Airport?
Yes, Digi Yatra is being trialled for select international departures from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.
How does Digi Yatra work for international passengers?
Eligible passengers can scan their e-passport, read its embedded chip using a compatible smartphone's NFC feature, and complete selfie-based verification through the Digi Yatra app. A digital travel credential is then created for use at participating airport touchpoints.
