DigiYatra Glitches Cause Entry Delays at Mumbai and Delhi Airports: Is the System Failing?
Key Points
- 1DigiYatra facial recognition glitches caused delays at Mumbai and Delhi airports on January 5, forcing passengers into manual verification queues.
- 2A viral incident involved identical twin brothers who were denied access because the system detected 'more than one person found with the same face'.
- 3Despite the glitches, DigiYatra has reached 19 million users and facilitated over 77 million journeys across 24 airports, aiming for 80% adoption by 2028.
- 4The DigiYatra Foundation and Delhi Airport acknowledged the issues, emphasizing the need for robust identity verification technology for the digital passenger experience.
Passengers traveling through major Indian hubs faced unexpected inconvenience on Monday, January 5, as users reported significant DigiYatra facial recognition glitches at both Mumbai and Delhi terminals. The system, designed to create a seamless biometric boarding system, appeared to malfunction for several travelers. This forced them into manual verification lines, which caused congestion during peak travel hours.
Passenger Reports Highlight System Failures
Complaints quickly surfaced on social media platforms.
One passenger at Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1 (T1 Mumbai airport) described the situation as “major chaos.” He claimed the system failed to identify his registered face. The gate displayed a message saying he was “already late for flight,” despite his flight being 1.5 hours away. This type of airport entry glitch defeats the purpose of the fast-track service.
A similar complaint came from Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1. Another traveler reported that DigiYatra was not working for flights heading to Navi Mumbai. DigiYatra later clarified that its services are not yet available at the new Navi Mumbai International Airport, as the rollout is being done in phases.
The Identical Twin Flaw
Adding to the concerns about identity verification technology, a unique flaw was highlighted in a viral video. Identical twin brothers at Mumbai Airport were denied entry. The system refused access because it detected “more than one person found with the same face”. This incident drew wide attention, raising questions about the digital passenger experience for all travelers with highly similar facial features.
Experts suggest this denial may be a built-in safety feature. It is designed to prevent identity overlap or misuse. However, it necessitates a return to manual checks for a specific user group.
Official Response and System Scale
Both the DigiYatra Official handle and Delhi Airport acknowledged the complaints. They apologized for the air travel inconvenience and requested private details to investigate the issues. The DigiYatra Foundation is working to address these technical challenges.
Despite these glitches, the system's adoption has been substantial. As of late 2025, DigiYatra had reached 19 million users. It has facilitated over 77 million journeys across 24 Indian airports. The platform aims to serve 80% of domestic air travelers by 2028. This scale underscores the importance of system stability. The goal is to reduce airport entry time significantly.
Industry Impact and Future Outlook
System failures, even isolated ones, can undermine passenger trust. This is critical for the success of any large-scale biometric boarding system. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) promotes similar digital identity programs globally. These programs rely on consistent, reliable performance.
For major domestic carriers like IndiGo, terminal efficiency is vital for on-time performance. Delays caused by technical malfunctions can cascade throughout the network. The Indian aviation news cycle will continue to track how quickly the Foundation resolves these issues. The expansion of DigiYatra into new airports, including the upcoming Navi Mumbai hub, depends on a robust and reliable core system. For more commercial aviation news, visit https://flying.flights.
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