Explained: How `DigiYatra' will facilitate paperless travel at Hyderabad International Airport

GMR Hyderabad International Airport is set to roll out the Digital processing of passengers to facilitate paperless travel.

DigiYatra will be launched from Aug 18 for three months. DigiYatra aims to facilitate paperless travel and avoid multiple identity checks at the airport enabling seamless and hassle-free travel.

Here's how the DigiYatra platform works:

- Passengers need to download DigiYatra mobile App available both on IOS and Android platforms

- Open DY-ID App/Airline or OTA App/Airport App

- Enter Aadhar/Driving Licence (DL) Number for system authentication

- Passengers will receive OTP on their registered mobile/Email

- Enter the OTP in the app

- DigiYatra app will extract e-KYC data from Aadhar/DL Database

- Scan passport first page, Extract MRZ data, Read e-Chip by NFC (optional)

- DigiYatra app will extract reference face from Aadhar e-KYC/DL Data/e-Passport

- Passengers to take a Selfie; Facial Biometrics will be captured through the app

- Passenger's face is validated through the Digilocker portal and associated with authenticated face photograph

- Passengers will then associate their Digiyatra IDs with their current or future flight bookings or Boarding Passes

- When the passenger Scan the boarding pass or upload the ticket the travel data will be fetched by the app

Digiyatra app will share the duly encrypted Passenger's face and booking information to the airport, airline, and Immigration (in case of International Travel) on the day of travel

With DigiYatra, passengers will be automatically processed based on a facial recognition system at select checkpoints: one at the Departure Domestic Entry Gate 3 and another at the Security Hold Area (SHA) in the passenger terminal building. DigiYatra Technical Team has developed an exclusive mobile app for enrolment.

The passengers need to download this app to enjoy the benefits offered by the DigiYatra program. The app was launched on 15th August by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India. The beta version of the DigiYatra app is presently available at Playstore (for the Android platform). The same app will be available in App Store (for the IOS platform) in a few weeks' time.

Passenger flow at the airport with DigiYatra

Entry E-Gate at Airport

- Passenger arrives at the Entry E-gate

- He scans his Bar-Coded Boarding Passes

- He looks into the Facial Recognition System (FRS) camera installed on E-Gate

- System validates the Passenger's ID and travel document

- E-gate opens to allow the passenger into the Airport.

Entry to Security Hold Area (SHA):

- Passenger arrives at the PreSHA

- He will have to look into the FRS camera installed on e-Gate at Pre SHA-Location

- System validates Passenger's Biometric Template

- System accept/reject the passenger and according to the passenger move to SHA

Key advantages of DigiYatra -

- Navigate seamlessly through the airport using digital guidance systems

- Get real-time notifications about congestion & delays to have greater visibility on the next step of the journey

- Stay connected during flights and indulge in immersive experiences. Also, book in-flight services and destination-based offerings digitally

- Enhance security at Indian airports using "DigiYatra ID" with real-time Biometrics

- Validate Boarding pass or e-ticket with the airline system in real-time

Since the DigiYatra Biometric Boarding System is integrated with the identity document, passengers will no longer need to show their tickets/ boarding passes and their physical Identity cards at the checkpoints of the Airport. This will lead to reduced queue waiting times, faster processing times, and simpler processes enhancing the passenger experience. DigiYatra also enables passengers to receive relevant information about various facilities, protocols, airline timings, and queue waiting times at the airport.

GMR Hyderabad is one of the five airports that has been selected to roll out the DigiYatra program. DigiYatra team has formed Technical Expert Committee with all the airports and airlines to design the framework. The DigiYatra Mobile App is safe as the Passenger's biometric details are stored on Passenger's mobile itself and will not be shared with anyone. This is purely voluntary, and the normal non-biometric process shall continue to function.