Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has seen a significant increase in the adoption of self-service technologies among travelers, marking a transition towards touchless travel. Over the past 16 months, the airport has reported a rise in the use of digital tools like self-check-in kiosks, self-baggage drop (SBD) machines, and biometric DigiYatra services.
According to data from Adani, more than 3.86 million passengers utilized self-check-in kiosks between April 2024 and August 2025. In August 2025 alone, approximately 264,414 boarding passes were printed, reflecting a 41.84% increase from the 186,419 boarding passes printed in April 2024. Domestic carriers led this trend, with IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express showing the highest usage. Among international airlines, Air France had the most engagement, with 90,902 boarding passes printed.
The Self-Bag Drop (SBD) units at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) also saw a rise in usage, processing around 715,000 bags during the same period. The average processing time for these units is impressively fast, taking only 17 to 20 seconds per bag. Monthly international SBD adoption increased from 4.15% to 13.9%, while domestic adoption rose from 5.26% to 6.28%.
Over 6.3 Million Passengers Have Used DigiYatra Services So Far
Furthermore, DigiYatra services gained popularity, with participation growing from 12% to 32%, allowing over 6.3 million passengers to use biometric verification systems. CSMIA’s infrastructure supports this with 46 DigiYatra-enabled e-gates and 40 face pods, enabling quick processing at security and boarding gates.
This swift digital transformation is further supported by a modernized airport operations control centre and Adani Airports’ AI-driven platform, which enhances operational efficiency. The introduction of autonomous cleaning robots also improves hygiene standards, ensuring passenger safety and comfort.
What Is DigiYatra And How Can You Use It
Digi Yatra is an initiative by India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation. It aims to make air travel easier. It utilizes facial recognition technology to streamline the identity verification process for passengers. Here’s how it works:
– Passengers need to register on the Digi Yatra app using their ID and facial biometric data, adding their flight details beforehand.
– Once registered, they can bypass showing travel documents at various checkpoints, with identity verification occurring at each stage.
– Currently, this service is available for departures at Gate 2 of Terminal 2 in Mumbai.
The process follows strict security and privacy policies, ensuring that we use biometric data solely for verification and delete it within 24 hours of departure. Benefits include:
– Hassle-free airport entry
– Faster check-in and boarding
– Paperless travel experience
– One-time registration for all domestic flights
Digi Yatra aims to enhance convenience and efficiency for air travelers.
