Digi Yatra, a Self-Sovereign Identity based Privacy by Design ecosystem that uses face biometric technology offering contactless, seamless passenger processing at airports, has crossed a milestone of 4 million registered users. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the platform’s transformative impact on air travel by leveraging cutting-edge technology built on a Privacy Preserving ecosystem using Verifiable Credentials stored in a Secure Wallet and Decentralized Identifiers on a layer of trust of a Distributed Ledger.
Launched in December 2022, Digi Yatra implements a digital processing system for passengers using face biometric data, primarily facial scans, instead of traditional check-in. It enables a seamless experience for travellers at various checkpoints at the airport, from the terminal entry gate to check-in, baggage drop, security check, and boarding gates.
Starting with just three airports, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi, Digi Yatra has expanded its footprint across major airports in the country, including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata. Currently operational at 14 airports, Digi Yatra plans to expand to an additional 15 airports.
Digi Yatra has gained significant popularity among passengers by offering a suite of benefits that streamline the entire process from entry to boarding flights. The whole customer experience has been significantly enhanced, with passengers reporting reduced waiting times and smoother transitions through airport processes. By adopting Digi Yatra, passengers have been able to cut down on airport entry time from 15-20 seconds to around 5 seconds. Digi Yatra operates with a strong emphasis on data security and privacy. According to Digi Yatra’s policy, facial biometrics are deleted from the local airport’s database within 24 hours of the flight to ensure that sensitive information is not retained longer than necessary.
Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of Digi Yatra Foundation, said, “We are elated with this milestone as it signifies more than just a number. It represents the trust people have put in our vision of a more efficient, secure, and passenger-centric experience. We look forward to increasing our user base further, and are already in talks with our stakeholders about making this facility available to international travellers as well.”
The Digi Yatra Foundation is a not-for-profit entity and the nodal agency for Digi Yatra. The foundation’s shareholders are Airport Authority of India (AAI), Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (HIAL), Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), and Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL).
