BENGALURU: The days of standing in long queues at the airport clutching your passport and boarding pass while traveling abroad are set to become history. Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is gearing up to introduce a cutting-edge biometric system for international passengers, a first in the country.

A First-of-its-Kind Milestone in India

This innovative trial was conducted through a collaboration between Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), IndiGo Airlines, Digi Yatra Foundation, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The pilot project has been successful and is expected to be implemented in full soon. This marks a major milestone in India’s aviation sector.

What’s Special About It?

Until now, the 'Digi Yatra' facility provided seamless travel through facial recognition only for domestic passengers. However, this convenience will now be extended to international travelers as well. To manage the steadily increasing number of international passengers and save time, the 'Self-Sovereign Identity' (SSI) technology is being introduced.

How Does It Work?

This technology securely authenticates the identity of the passenger in advance.

Face Scanning: From the airport entrance to security checks and flight boarding, a simple scan of your face is all it takes.

No Document Hassle: You will no longer need to repeatedly present your physical passport or boarding pass.

App-to-App Connectivity: Airline apps and airport servers are interconnected, allowing passenger details to be verified automatically.

Safety and Security: Under the SSI model, personal identity information is stored with high security, designed to ensure that privacy is never compromised.

Since the process begins right from the ticket booking stage, entering the airport and completing security checks will become incredibly easy. By adopting this technology, Bengaluru Airport is joining the ranks of global smart airports.