New Delhi,In a significant development, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that the Digi Yatra facility, utilizing Facial Recognition Technology (FRT), will be extended to 25 additional airports in 2024. Currently available at 13 airports for domestic passengers, Digi Yatra ensures a contactless and seamless passenger experience at various checkpoints.
During a briefing in the national capital, Scindia detailed that the implementation will occur in two phases. The first phase will introduce Digi Yatra at 14 airports, followed by an additional 11 airports in the second phase next year. By the end of 2024, this cutting-edge technology will be operational at 25 more airports, bringing the total count to 38 airports, catering to around 95% of the country’s domestic air passenger traffic.
Passenger data shared for Digi Yatra is securely stored in an encrypted format. To avail the service, passengers need to register details on the DigiYatra app, utilizing Aadhaar-based validation and a self-image capture. Subsequently, scanning the boarding pass at the e-gate, equipped with facial recognition systems, validates the passenger’s identity and travel documents. After this process, passengers can smoothly enter the airport through the e-gate, with the subsequent security and boarding procedures remaining unchanged.
The Digi Yatra Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, plays a pivotal role in overseeing Digi Yatra. Shareholders include the Airport Authority of India (AAI), Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (HIAL), and Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL).
