Air travel has always carried an air of excitement, but for most passengers, it also comes with long queues, endless paperwork, and the frustration of waiting. From check-in counters to security lines and finally immigration, the process can be exhausting. But imagine a world where you could walk into an airport with no boarding pass in hand, no ID cards stuffed into your pockets, and no endless waiting. Imagine simply smiling at a camera and gliding through the airport gates in seconds. This is not a science fiction fantasy anymore—it is India’s new reality, thanks to Digi Yatra and Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP).
These two ambitious projects are part of India’s push towards digital transformation in aviation. They are powered by facial recognition and biometric technologies, promising faster, smoother, and more secure travel for millions of passengers. While Digi Yatra focuses on domestic travel convenience, FTI-TTP is designed for international flyers who often lose valuable time at immigration counters. Together, they mark a turning point in India’s aviation journey and showcase the country’s growing global leadership in digital innovation.
In this detailed exploration, we will understand how these programmes began, how they work, what benefits they bring, the challenges they face, and what the future holds for Indian and international travellers.
Digi Yatra: Your Face is the Boarding Pass
The Beginning of a Digital Dream
The story of Digi Yatra started in 2018 when the Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the initiative to simplify the air travel experience for domestic passengers. Pilot programmes began at Delhi and Bengaluru airports to test whether facial recognition technology could replace traditional boarding passes and ID checks. The results were promising, and the project quickly gained momentum.
To ensure smooth implementation, a Digi Yatra Foundation was created, which includes major airport operators, airlines, and technology experts. Together, they built a secure, scalable platform that could serve millions of passengers. By 2022, the programme expanded to more airports, and by September 2025, it had already reached 24 major airports across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Goa, and Cochin.
The adoption numbers are equally impressive. More than 1.5 crore passengers have already used the Digi Yatra app, and nearly 30,000 new users are joining daily. The long-term goal is ambitious—by 2028, the government expects 80% of India’s air passengers to use Digi Yatra.
How It Works: A Step-By-Step Process
The beauty of Digi Yatra lies in its simplicity. Passengers need only a smartphone and a few minutes to set up their profile.
- Registration on the App – Download the Digi Yatra app from the Play Store or App Store, enter your personal details such as name, phone number, email, and upload a government-issued ID like Aadhaar, passport, or voter ID. Aadhaar linking through DigiLocker makes the process seamless. Finally, upload a selfie which becomes your unique “digital face map.”
- Adding Travel Details – Enter your flight information like PNR or digital boarding pass into the app. This is automatically synced with the airline and airport system.
- Airport Entry – At the airport, walk to the Digi Yatra gate. A quick facial scan verifies your identity and ticket within seconds.
- Security and Boarding – The same facial recognition system is used at security checks and boarding gates, ensuring a paperless, hassle-free journey.
The process eliminates the need for printed boarding passes or physical ID checks at multiple stages, saving both time and effort.
The Technology Behind the Magic
At the heart of Digi Yatra is the Facial Recognition System (FRS) powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). The system can recognize unique facial features such as eyes, nose, and jawline with an accuracy rate of more than 99%. Even in low light, or when the passenger is wearing glasses or masks, the system works effectively.
- Speed and Accuracy – Identity verification takes less than 15 seconds.
- Data Security – Personal data is encrypted and automatically deleted within 24 hours of the flight, addressing privacy concerns.
- Scalability – The system is capable of handling millions of passengers daily, making it future-ready.
Fast Track Immigration: Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP)
The Pain of Immigration Queues
For international passengers, the most time-consuming process is immigration clearance. Long queues, manual checks, and repeated document verification often take up valuable time and energy. Recognizing this challenge, the Government of India launched the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) on June 22, 2024, at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
This programme is designed for Indian citizens and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders. It uses biometric e-gates equipped with facial and fingerprint scanners to clear immigration in less than 30 seconds.
How the Programme Works
The enrolment process for FTI-TTP is slightly longer than Digi Yatra, but once completed, it gives passengers years of hassle-free international travel.
- Online Application – Apply through the official FTI-TTP portal, upload passport, photo, and address proof. The passport must be valid for at least six months.
- Biometric Enrollment – Visit a major airport or a Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to provide fingerprints and facial scans.
- Fee Payment and Approval – The membership fee is ₹2,000 for Indian adults, ₹1,000 for children, and $100 for OCI cardholders. Once approved, the membership is valid for 10 years or until the passport expires.
- At the Airport – At immigration counters, passengers can directly walk to dedicated FTI-TTP e-gates. A quick scan verifies identity, and clearance is granted almost instantly.
Coverage and Expansion Plans
As of September 2025, the FTI-TTP programme is available at 8 airports—Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Cochin. By January 2026, the coverage will expand to 21 international airports across India.
This expansion is expected to dramatically reduce waiting times at India’s busiest international hubs and encourage more people to enrol.
Benefits of the Programmes
For Passengers
- Time-Saving – Digi Yatra reduces airport processing time by nearly 50%. FTI-TTP clears immigration in 30 seconds.
- Paperless Travel – No need to carry multiple IDs or boarding passes.
- Health Safety – Minimal contact is especially relevant in a post-COVID era.
- Ease for Frequent Flyers – Business travellers and NRIs benefit the most from reduced waiting times.
For Airports and Airlines
- Operational Efficiency – Faster passenger flow means less congestion.
- Cost Saving – Reduced paper use and manpower requirements.
- Improved Passenger Satisfaction – Smoother experiences increase customer loyalty.
For the Environment
- Eco-Friendly – Reduced paper consumption contributes to sustainability goals.
Digi Yatra vs. FTI-TTP
While both programmes share the goal of simplifying travel, they serve different purposes.
- Scope – Digi Yatra is focused on the overall airport journey for domestic and international departures, while FTI-TTP is specifically for immigration clearance.
- Reach – Digi Yatra is already active in 24 airports, while FTI-TTP is at 8 with plans for 21.
- Cost – Digi Yatra is free for all users, while FTI-TTP involves a fee.
Together, they complement each other and create a holistic digital travel ecosystem.
Challenges on the Way
Digi Yatra Challenges
- Digital Divide – Some passengers, especially from rural areas, may not be familiar with smartphone apps. Awareness campaigns and airport help desks are addressing this.
- Infrastructure Gaps – Smaller airports still lack facial recognition systems, but rollout plans are ongoing.
- Privacy Concerns – Some people fear misuse of biometric data, but the 24-hour deletion rule is designed to address this.
FTI-TTP Challenges
- Limited Availability – Currently only at 8 airports, but expansion is on track.
- Membership Fee – The cost may discourage budget travellers. Subsidies in future could make it more inclusive.
- Strict Vetting – Some applications may face rejection due to stringent checks, but clearer guidelines are being introduced.
India’s Digital Aviation Future
The success of these programmes has set the stage for bigger ambitions.
- Global Partnerships – Digi Yatra may partner with airports in Singapore, UAE, and other nations for smoother international travel.
- Beyond Airports – Facial recognition systems may soon be extended to trains, metros, and buses.
- AI Personalization – Future versions could offer personalized travel assistance based on passenger data.
- Tourism Boost – Faster travel will attract more international visitors and strengthen India’s aviation economy.
- Global Recognition – Digi Yatra and FTI-TTP are being compared with programmes like the USA’s Global Entry and Singapore’s iBoarding, showing India’s leadership in making advanced technology accessible to all.
The Digital Sky Awaits
The launch of Digi Yatra and FTI-TTP marks a turning point in India’s aviation history. For domestic travellers, Digi Yatra makes airports faster, safer, and paperless. For international flyers, FTI-TTP eliminates the dread of long immigration queues. Both programmes showcase India’s ability to adopt world-class technology at scale and integrate it into everyday life.
As of 2025, Digi Yatra covers 24 airports and FTI-TTP is available at 8 airports with expansion on the horizon. The journey is not without challenges, but the pace of adoption shows India is ready for this digital leap.
Air travel is no longer just about planes—it is about digital experiences that redefine convenience, speed, and safety. With these programmes, Indian passengers are not just flying; they are gliding into the future. The skies are now a digital wonderland, and every traveller has the chance to be a part of this revolution.