India has launched a new biometric system at airports aimed at expediting immigration checks for both Indian nationals and foreign citizens with Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards. The initiative, known as the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Program (FTI-TTP), was unveiled by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Under the FTI-TTP, eligible travelers must complete an online application and provide biometric data such as fingerprints and a facial image. This registration remains valid for up to five years or until the passport expires. Initially, the program will operate at Delhi airport and seven other major airports including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Ahmedabad.
In a statement shared on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Shah emphasized the government’s commitment to improving travel convenience and efficiency.
This development follows the installation of five new biometric registration kiosks at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi. These kiosks use facial recognition software to verify passenger identities, reducing wait times and enhancing overall processing efficiency. They are operated by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) under the supervision of the Bureau of Immigration (BOI).
Previously, visa-holding passengers arriving in Delhi had to use specific immigration counters, resulting in an average wait time of 4-5 minutes per passenger. With the new biometric kiosks, travelers can register their facial scans, linking them to their travel documents and boarding passes. This ensures that only verified individuals can access secure airport areas.
Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL, hailed the kiosks as a significant advancement in expediting immigration processes and improving passenger convenience, especially for those unable to submit biometrics during visa applications.
The introduction of these kiosks forms part of India’s broader strategy to implement biometric technology across major airports. Mumbai airport recently doubled its e-gates, noted as the highest in the country, to facilitate easier entry, according to the Times of India.
Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of the Digi Yatra Foundation, highlighted the potential expansion of facial recognition technology beyond airports to encompass rail travel, hotels, public places, and historical monuments, as reported by the Hindu.
Digi Yatra, India’s digital travel experience initiative, utilizes biometric data to offer passengers a seamless and paperless journey through airports. Starting June 25, 2024, Chandigarh airport will become the fourth airport under the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to implement Digi Yatra.
With air travel expected to double from 4 billion to 8 billion passengers by 2040, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the adoption of face and fingerprint biometrics becomes crucial to maintain efficient passenger flow.