Union Minister for Civil Aviation Launches Digi Yatra for Three Airports in The Country

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister for Civil Aviation Launches Digi Yatra for Three Airports in The Country” published in PIB on 1st December 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Minister for Civil Aviation has launched Digi Yatra from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi for three airports in the country namely New Delhi, Varanasi and Bengaluru. 

What is Digi Yatra?

Digi Yatra is conceived to achieve contactless, seamless processing of passengers at airports based on Facial Recognition Technology(FRT).

With this, passenger data will be processed automatically based on a facial recognition system at various checkpoints at the airport.

Nodal Body: The project is being implemented by the DigiYatra Foundation — a joint-venture company registered under the Companies Act, 2013.

Note: Currently, Digi Yatra can be used only for domestic flights.

How to get a Digi Yatra ID?

After downloading the Digi Yatra app, passengers can get this ID by sharing details such as name, email address, mobile number, and details of an identification document (Aadhaar, driving license, voter ID etc.). 

After entering this information, a Digi Yatra ID will be created. This ID has to be shared while booking tickets. Airline companies, in turn, will share this ID and passenger data with the departure airport.

How to use the Digi Yatra facility at the airport?

At the airport e-gate, scan the bar-coded boarding pass; the facial recognition system installed there will validate your identity as well as the travel document. After this, one can go inside, and follow the regular procedure to clear the security and board his/her flight.

What are the benefits of Digi Yatra?

No storage of data: There is no central storage of Personally Identifiable Information (PII).The passenger’s ID and travel credentials are stored in a secure wallet on the passenger’s smartphone itself. The uploaded data will utilize blockchain technology and all the data will be purged from the servers within 24 hours of use.

Faster movement: ​​With the elimination of ID checks at check-in, passengers will be experiencing faster movement to boarding gates. For example at Dubai Airport where this technology is used, passenger saves time up to 40%.

Reduces Frauds: This will also reduce frauds and only legitimate passengers will be allowed to board the plane.

Enhanced security: The app will be tracking the air passenger with the PNR, enhancing security.