Bengaluru Airport Trials DigiYatra for International Departures with SITA SmartPath
Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has launched a three-month pilot extending DigiYatra to eligible international passengers.
The initiative uses SITA SmartPath for biometric identity verification across the passenger journey.
How It Works
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Eligible Indian travelers can link their DigiYatra credential and e-passport.
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Passengers verify their identity once and can then be recognized at:
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Terminal entry
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Security checkpoints
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Boarding gates
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Mandatory immigration, security and regulatory checks remain unchanged.
Benefits for Passengers
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Reduces repeated passport and boarding pass checks.
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Enables a more seamless and contactless airport experience.
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Helps shorten queues and improve travel convenience.
Benefits for Airports
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Frees airport staff to focus on passengers requiring assistance.
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Improves passenger throughput without additional terminal infrastructure.
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At airports where SITA SmartPath is already deployed, boarding times have been reduced by around 30%.
Industry Collaboration
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The pilot involves collaboration between:
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BLR Airport (BIAL)
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DigiYatra
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SITA
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Air India
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IndiGo
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Government authorities
Leadership Comments
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George Fanthome, Chief Technical Officer, BIAL, said the trial is an important step toward a biometric-enabled and digitally integrated international travel experience.
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Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific Region, SITA, said the initiative demonstrates how a single trusted digital identity can streamline the entire departure process and pave the way for future cross-border recognition.
Foundation for Expansion
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The trial builds on a successful proof of concept conducted in March 2026 by DigiYatra, IATA, SITA and airline partners.
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Following the pilot, contactless international passenger processing is expected to be expanded to more airports across India.
Key Takeaway
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The BLR Airport pilot marks a significant step in extending India's DigiYatra ecosystem to international departures, combining biometric identity verification and airport automation to deliver a faster, more seamless passenger experience.
