Digi Yatra, a cutting-edge digital platform using face biometric technology for seamless passenger processing at airports, has reached a significant milestone, with over 4 million registered users. Launched in December 2022, the platform is operational in 14 airports across India, transforming the air travel experience by leveraging a Privacy by Design ecosystem.
Digi Yatra utilises Self Sovereign Identity (SSI) principles to ensure a secure and privacy-preserving process. The system employs Verifiable Credentials stored in a Secure Wallet and Decentralised Identifiers, built on a Distributed Ledger’s trust layer. This innovative approach replaces traditional check-in methods with facial biometric data, facilitating a contactless and streamlined passenger experience from terminal entry to boarding.
Initially launched at Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi airports, Digi Yatra has rapidly expanded its footprint to include major airports like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Kolkata. The platform plans to extend its services to an additional 15 airports shortly.
Passengers have lauded Digi Yatra for significantly enhancing their travel experience, citing reduced waiting times and smoother transitions through various airport processes. The platform’s efficiency has enabled travellers to cut down airport entry time from 15-20 seconds to approximately 5 seconds. Emphasizing data security, Digi Yatra ensures that facial biometrics are deleted from the local airport’s database within 24 hours of a flight to safeguard sensitive information.
Technological advancements have been a blessing, leading to smart travel solutions that are simplifying our travel experiences. Today, we can access boarding passes on our smartphones, check in through automated clearance gates and even validate our boarding passes electronically. Digital platforms are further transforming customer experiences significantly, ensuring seamless and health-risk-free check-in and boarding for travellers.
Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO, Digi Yatra Foundation, expressed his enthusiasm about the milestone, stating, “We are elated with this milestone as it signifies more than just a number. It represents the trust people have put in our vision of a more efficient, secure, and passenger-centric experience. We look forward to increasing our user base further, and are already in talks with our stakeholders about making this facility available to international travelers as well.”The Digi Yatra Foundation, a not-for-profit entity, serves as the nodal agency for Digi Yatra. Its shareholders include prominent entities such as the Airport Authority of India (AAI), Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (HIAL), Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), and Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL).
