India is set to introduce facial recognition technology for international air travel in 2025, aiming to streamline the airport experience and make it more efficient for passengers. This initiative builds on the success of the DigiYatra platform, already used for domestic travel, which allows passengers to navigate airports using only their facial biometrics.
SITA, a global air transport technology provider, is partnering with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to implement its Smart Path technology at nine airports. This collaboration, part of the DigiYatra initiative, aims to enhance passenger experience, minimize wait times, and boost operational efficiency through contactless biometric solutions.
Domestic travelers departing from Terminal 2 of Bengaluru International Airport (BIAL) and other airports in Karnataka can now seamlessly initiate the self-bag drop process using facial recognition via DigiYatra technology. This innovative system eliminates the need for physical boarding passes, significantly reducing wait times and enhancing the overall travel experience.
Former Jet Airways CEO Sanjiv Kapoor has criticized the long entry queues and identification card checks at Indian airports, calling it a “bottleneck” for passengers. Kapoor suggested exploring alternative methods that do not hinder passenger flow, while acknowledging the utility of the DigiYatra app for tech-savvy travelers. The DigiYatra initiative, utilizing facial recognition technology for contactless identification, is currently operational at 13 Indian airports. While some social media users support Kapoor’s views, others emphasize the importance of security measures to prevent unauthorized airport access.
