GMR Hyderabad International Airport rolls out Digiyatra-Digital Processing of Passengers

In line with the Govt. of India’s signature DigiYatra programme, GMR Hyderabad International Airport will roll out the Digital processing of passengers as a proof of concept through the DigiYatra platform from 18th Aug for three months. DigiYatra will facilitate paperless travel and avoid multiple identity checks at the airport enabling seamless and hassle-free 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 programme. 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 Android platform). The same app will be available at App Store (for IOS platform) in a few weeks’ time.

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

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 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

Mr Pradeep Panicker, CEO-GHIAL, said, “The Digiyatra initiative envisages airline travellers, a speedy, hassle- free, digitally unified air travel experience across all stages of the journey. It is a milestone in the history of Indian aviation, and we are proud to be chosen as one of the airports for a proof of concept for Digi Yatra by the Government of India. GHIAL had earlier initiated face recognition trials which received wide acclaim across the airport ecosystem. This technology will enable passengers a paperless travel, and they will be able to use a face scan as a boarding pass.”

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. SGK Kishore, ED-South and Chief Innovation Officer – GMR Airports said, “ Hyderabad International Airport has been a pioneer in embracing the latest technology solutions and introducing many first-of-a-kind tech initiatives over the years.  This airport was the first in the country to do a trial of the Face Recognition in the year 2019 and has already been tried and tested successfully.  It is a known fact that Hyderabad Airport was the first in India to roll out end-to-end, fully paperless “E- Boarding” for all domestic passengers and for select international airlines. This is the only airport in India to offer “Express Security Check” facility for passengers which is one of great convenience and appreciated by many of our travellers.  The Digiyatra scheme will make travel for a passenger easy and gradually lead to a gate free experience.”

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 passenger experience. DigiYatra also enables the passengers to receive relevant information about various facilities, protocols, airline timings, and queue waiting times at the airport.

GMR Hyderabad International Airport is one of the five airports that has been selected to roll out the DigiYatra programme. 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.