Mumbai Airport: Face Recognition For Efficient Travel

Mumbai Airport, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in India, serving as a major hub for both domestic and international flights. The airport has undergone several upgrades over the years to meet modern standards and provide passengers with a seamless travel experience. While Mumbai Airport offers a wide range of amenities and facilities, there is no specific mention of face recognition technology being implemented as of January 2025. However, the Indian government has introduced a facial recognition system called 'DigiYatra' at various airports across the country, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Varanasi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Vijayawada. This technology enhances security and reduces wait times by allowing passengers to pass through checkpoints in a paperless and contactless manner.

Mumbai Airport, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in India

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is located in Vile Parle East, across the suburbs of Santacruz and Sahar Village. It is operated by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), a joint venture between Adani Enterprises (a subsidiary of the Adani Group) and the Airports Authority of India. The airport has three operating terminals spread over a total land area of 750 hectares (1,850 acres) and handles about 950 aircraft movements per day.

The airport was previously known as Sahar International Airport, and before that, as Sahar Airport. In 1999, it was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, and in 2018, the title 'Maharaj' was added.

In 2024, the airport was ranked fourth on Travel + Leisure's list of the top 10 favourite airports in the world. It has also won several other awards, including the 'Best Airport in India and Central Asia' award at the Skytrax 2016 World Airport Awards and the 'Best Airport in the Asia-Pacific' award in 2020 and 2023.

The airport has two intersecting runways and handles an average of 980 flights per day. It has two terminals for scheduled commercial passenger services: Terminal 1 at Santacruz for domestic flights and Terminal 2 at Sahar for both international and domestic flights. Terminal 1 has 11 passenger boarding bridges, while Terminal 2 has 192 check-in counters and 60 immigration counters for departing passengers, and 14 baggage carousels and 76 immigration counters for arriving passengers.

To improve the passenger experience and reduce congestion, the airport has implemented Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) to ensure timely takeoffs and landings. It is one of only three airports in India to have done so.

In addition to its busy passenger operations, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport also handles a significant amount of cargo traffic. In 2009-10, the airport handled 385,937 metric tonnes of international cargo and 165,252 metric tonnes of domestic cargo.

The DigiYatra app, launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, allows passengers to enter airports using facial recognition

The DigiYatra app, launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is revolutionising air travel in India by allowing passengers to enter airports using facial recognition technology. This innovative system streamlines the airport experience, making it paperless, contactless, and efficient.

DigiYatra, introduced in collaboration with the Digi Yatra Foundation, is an industry-led initiative that harnesses the power of facial recognition to verify passenger identities at various checkpoints. This includes airport entry, security checks, and boarding gates, eliminating the need for physical documents. With specific queues designated for DigiYatra users, passengers can breeze through the airport with minimal hassle.

The app was first launched on 1st December 2022 in Bangalore, Varanasi, and Delhi, marking the beginning of a new era in air travel. Subsequently, it expanded to other airports, including Vijayawada, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, and Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. DigiYatra is now available at fifteen airports, with another 13 expected to join in April 2024.

To use DigiYatra, passengers must register their details on the app using Aadhaar-based validation and a self-image capture. This biometric data serves as their digital identity, linked to their boarding pass information. Once enrolled, passengers can simply scan their boarding pass at the airport e-gate, where the facial recognition system validates their identity and travel documents, granting them seamless entry.

The benefits of DigiYatra are twofold: it enhances security while also expediting the airport process. By reducing wait times and streamlining the boarding process, DigiYatra elevates the overall travel experience, bringing Indian airports to the forefront of innovation.

Mumbai Airport, operated by Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), is one of the shareholders of the Digi Yatra Foundation. This indicates that Mumbai Airport is likely to be one of the airports implementing the DigiYatra system, offering its passengers a seamless and digital experience.

The app is available at Delhi, Varanasi, and Bengaluru airports, with a rollout to other airports expected

The DigiYatra app, which uses facial recognition technology, is currently available at Delhi, Varanasi, and Bengaluru airports. The app allows passengers to pass through various checkpoints at the airport without the need for a paper ticket or boarding pass. Instead, passengers can use their faces as a form of identification to enter the airport, access the security check area, and board their flights.

To use the app, passengers must first register their details, including Aadhaar-based validation and a self-image capture. They can then scan their boarding pass, which will be linked to their facial recognition data. At the airport, passengers can scan their boarding pass at the e-gate, where the facial recognition system will validate their identity and travel documents. This process allows passengers to enter the airport and access secure areas without the need for a physical ticket or boarding pass.

The DigiYatra app is expected to be rolled out to other airports in the future. In the first phase, it will be launched at seven airports, starting with Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi, and then expanding to Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Vijayawada by March 2023. Subsequently, the technology is expected to be implemented across the country.

The app offers a seamless and contactless travel experience, making air travel more convenient and reducing congestion at airports. It is available for both Android and iOS users and can be downloaded from their respective app stores.

The facial recognition system maps faces using specific markers such as the distance between the eyes

The DigiYatra facial recognition system has been implemented at airports in India, including Mumbai, to enhance security and reduce wait times. The technology works by capturing and mapping an individual's facial features, such as the distance between the eyes, to create a unique mathematical formula or "facial signature." This signature is then compared to millions of stored photographs to find a match.

The facial recognition system uses specific markers, such as the distance between the eyes, to map an individual's face. This process involves measuring the distance between various facial landmarks, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. These measurements, known as geometric vectors, are then stored in a database for future comparisons. The system also takes into account external head contours and the relationships between these features to improve recognition accuracy.

The effectiveness of facial recognition technology relies on several factors, including consistent lighting, camera resolution, face position, and limited motion. Adequate lighting ensures that the camera sensor captures clear images without introducing noise. Additionally, the lighting should be consistent to prevent shadows from creating false representations of the face.

Camera resolution is another critical factor, and the required resolution depends on the specific facial recognition system being used. For example, some systems require a minimum of 60 pixels between two eyes (interpupillary distance), while others may need at least 80 to 120 pixels across the entire face.

By utilizing specific markers, such as the distance between the eyes, the facial recognition system can effectively map and identify individuals, contributing to its implementation in various airports, including Mumbai.

The app has raised privacy concerns, with critics arguing that there is no clarity on data sharing and storage

The DigiYatra app, which uses facial recognition technology for contactless and paperless entry at select Indian airports, has raised privacy concerns among critics. The app was launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in December 2022 and is currently available at Delhi's Terminal 3, Bengaluru, and Varanasi airports, with plans to expand to other airports across India.

To avail of the service, passengers must register their details on the DigiYatra app using Aadhaar-based validation and a self-image capture. They then scan their boarding pass, and their credentials are shared with the airport authorities. At the airport e-gate, passengers scan their barcoded boarding pass, and the facial recognition system validates their identity and travel documents, allowing them to enter the airport through the e-gate.

While the Digi Yatra Policy states that facial biometrics are deleted from the local airport's database 24 hours after the departure of the passenger's flight, critics argue that there is a lack of clarity regarding the storage and sharing of other passenger information. In November 2022, the government think tank NITI Aayog urged the government to provide clarity on how passenger information would be handled. They emphasized the need for clear rules regarding the deletion of data collected from passengers and the storage of facial biometrics in other registries.

Anushka Jain of the Internet Freedom Foundation raised concerns about the lack of transparency in data sharing. She pointed out that India does not have a data protection law, and there is uncertainty about who the airport shares the data with, such as police or private technology companies. Jain also questioned the accuracy of the technology, stating that it may become a hassle for passengers, especially if their current facial features do not match the photo on their ID proof.

The privacy concerns highlight the need for comprehensive data protection laws and regulations to address the collection, storage, and sharing of passenger information. Clear guidelines and safeguards are essential to protect the privacy and security of individuals using the DigiYatra app and other similar technologies.

Frequently asked questions