The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which runs and administers IGI Airport, stated that by the end of March, all entrance and boarding gates of Terminals 2 and 3 of the Delhi airport will be DigiYatra-enabled to deliver an improved and seamless passenger experience. It is a digital platform for air travellers in India that makes the process of air travel more convenient and efficient for passengers by using facial recognition technology. This technology will ensure faster mobility of passengers to boarding gates, hassle-free travel, enhanced security and dedicated gates while being completely contactless.After Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Minister of Civil Aviation, launched DigiYatra on December 1, 2022, Delhi has gradually seen an increase in its user base. At the moment, around 2,500 travellers use DigiYatra at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport each day. Almost 40 percent of daily domestic travellers would have smooth access to the terminal, security check area, and boarding gates following the construction of all DigiYatra equipment at Terminals 3 and 2, according to the DIAL.During busy times, customers will be able to save 15 to 25 minutes because they will only have to spend a short amount of time at each touch point from entry checks to security checks, according to the statement.The use of the exclusive DigiYatra channel for admission to the PESC area will also be advantageous to passengers.They only need to register their face on the DigiYatra app and validate it remotely with the Aadhaar repository before leaving for the airport. They also need to share their travel barcodes with the airport by uploading them. They wont have to wait in line to enter the terminal, which will save their time.The credentials shared by passengers on DigiYatra app remain on their mobile phones. The details of the same will not be shared with anyone as its application DigiYatra is designed on the concept of Privacy by Design. Also, the details shared by the passenger with the airport will get removed automatically as soon as the flight takes off.According to the CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, “Delhi Airport was among the first Indian airports to roll out the facial recognition system-based DigiYatra. Since its launch, it has significantly reduced the time spent by passengers for entry into terminals, security check areas, and boarding gates. We are also encouraged to see the gradual growth in passenger numbers using DigiYatra.”He also added, “At present, around 2,500 passengers are using DigiYatra every day. We aim to ensure that more and more passengers are using it. Using DigiYatra will ensure that passengers get ample leisure time to spend with their friends or family at the airport.”Delhi airport terminal 1 is also likely to get DigiYatra-enabled entry gates from this April. The software which is used in Delhi is one of the latest technologies which can support flawless entries of passengers with reduced mobility into the terminal.Airports that are DigiYatra enabled:The service is currently available at three airports in India. This includes Indira Gandhi International Airport, Kempegawda International Airport- Bengaluru, and Lal Bahadur Shashtri International Airport-Varanasi. Soon, the DigiYatra service will be implemented in Kolkata, Vijaywada, Pune and Hyderabad by March this year.Will it be valid for international flightsCurrently, the service only covers domestic routes. After downloading the DigiYatra app, which is available at no cost for Android and iPhone users and after validating all the information on the app. Passengers will be able to use it.Airlines that provide the gatewayAir India, Vistara and IndiGo are currently part of the DigiYatra service. GoFirst and Spicejet will soon join the gateway.
