In India, with government facilitating paperless travel, air passengers will soon be needing to produce their unique identity details (UID) details at the time of booking tickets, as the government looks to facilitate paperless travel. On Thursday, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said that the Ministry plans to introduce “digital unique identification” requirement at the time of booking air tickets.
However, air passengers already need to carry a copy of their identity proof while entering the airport. Though a digital unique identification such as Aadhaar, PAN (Permanent Account Number), passport number is being proposed for air passengers, Sinha said. The Civil Aviation Ministry has also set up a digital traveller working group to give recommendations on implementing the scheme. Under the initiative, Aadhaar would not be made mandatory but would be an option among other digital identities, the Minister said.
“This is a pull experience and not a push experience. Passengers still have the option of carrying a boarding pass if they so wish,” he said addressing a press conference. According to Sinha, the Ministry is studying proposals and would conduct extensive consultations to ensure comprehensive traveller coverage, convenience and privacy.
