Digi Yatra, the revolutionary facial recognition technology currently used for domestic check-ins at Indian airports, is set to expand its reach to international passengers. According to Sumesh Patel, president of Asia-Pacific at SITA, the technology’s potential extension aims to further streamline and optimize travel processes throughout India, enhancing passenger convenience. SITA, a leading European IT and telecommunications provider to the aviation sector, secured a contract in December 2023 to implement Digi Yatra across 40 airports operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The Digi Yatra initiative was officially launched in December 2022 by former Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The technology, which utilizes advanced facial recognition to simplify airport procedures, marks a significant step in modernizing the passenger experience. It also reflects the current government’s commitment to integrating more digital technology into airport operations.
Patel emphasizes that the focus of digitization efforts at Indian airports should not stop at check-ins. He advocates for the introduction of additional biometric touchpoints throughout the airport environment, including immigration, duty-free shops, and lounges. These enhancements are expected to further improve efficiency and security for travelers navigating through airport facilities.
In related developments, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at Terminal 3 of Delhi Airport on Saturday. This new program aims to provide Indian nationals and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholders with a more streamlined, secure, and expedited travel experience. Featuring dedicated counters, the initiative represents another stride towards enhancing the efficiency of travel processes in India.
The combination of Digi Yatra and the FTI-TTP underscores a broader shift towards digital solutions in the travel and tourism sectors. These programs not only promise to reduce wait times and improve service delivery at airports but also align with global trends in travel technology, positioning India as a leader in airport innovation.
