Starting December 1 2022, the Government has launched DigiYatra App, a new mechanism, at selected airports in Delhi, Bangalore and Varanasi for a hassle-free air travel experience. This means that facial scans will identify the passengers through biometric facial recognition technology (FRT), allowing easy check-ins, including entry, pre-security check, and boarding aircraft.
No need to carry identity cards your face is your new boarding pass!
Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia commenced the Digiyatra at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
“DigiYatra envisages that travellers pass through various checkpoints at the airport through paperless and contactless processing, using facial features to establish their identity, which would be linked to the boarding pass”, stated Jyotiraditya Scindia.
The initiative is in the first phase starting with the national capital, Bengaluru and Varanasi, followed by Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune and Vijayawada airports by March 2023. Subsequently, it will be rolled out across the nation.
#DigiYatra: Travel Seamlessly!
— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) December 1, 2022
Experience the Future of Air Travel with DigiYatra an initiative by MoCA and enjoy quick airport entry and Pre-Security Check with only your face as your Boarding Pass! pic.twitter.com/rcv9BxCMVr
Notably, the Digiyatra App is launched for domestic flyers and is available on both IoS and Android platforms. With this Biometric app, India has joined the likes of International Airports like Heathrow in London and Atlanta in the USA.
Stating the advantages of Facial Recognition Technology, the Minister cited the example of “Dubai Airport where passenger time up to 40 per cent was saved due to this technology.”
“Compared to other airports, the Indian biometric system has been made far more seamless from entry to exit and, therefore, will be one of the most efficient systems across the world”, he added.
Table of contents
How Does DigiYatra App Work?
DigiYatra App facilitates passengers with a seamless digital travel experience that avoids identity checks at multiple points. It follows a centralised registration system for passengers to make their travel swift and convenient.
To avail of the services, read the steps below:
- Passengers can download the DigiYatra app from the app store.
- Register your information using Aadhar-based validation via Digilocker or offline Aadhaar
- Upload your selfie to access the app.
- Scan the boarding pass and update your travel itineraries. The credentials will be shared with the airport.
- At the Airport e-gate, the FRT system will validate the passenger’s identity and travel documents.
- After the normal security clearances, you’re good to go flying out.
Airports and Airlines Using the Facial Recognition App
The FRT system facility will be available for domestic travellers at Delhi’s Terminal 3, Bengaluru and Varanasi airports, followed by all the national ports by 2023.
The Delhi airport has marked the dedicated gates for DY-registered passengers. At the moment, Air India, Vistara and IndiGo are the concerned airlines providing the avail services at the airports.
see also – Delhi Airport Named 10th Busiest Airport
Is DigiYatra a Boon or Bane?
The DigiYatra app aims to make a smooth and significantly faster boarding process for patrons. This innovative move will enhance airport security and provide a contactless travel experience for air passengers. This app aims to meet the Prime Minister’s future plan to make India a digitally empowered nation.
Amidst the advantages, the biggest concern is privacy. “The Digi Yatra Policy states that facial biometrics are deleted from the local airport’s database 24 hours after the departure of the passenger’s flight.” However, there is little descriptive information on data theft and privacy issues. India does not have a data protection law; the technology can sometimes become a hassle. An outcome of the DigiYatra app based on the FRT will only become known in the future.
