Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 15: Mangaluru International Airport (IXE), operated by Mangaluru International Airport Limited (MgIAL), has recorded a consistent rise in the adoption of DigiYatra – the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s flagship digital travel initiative – since its integration earlier this year.
Rolled out on June 14, the airport has witnessed a month-on-month growth in DigiYatra usage. Passenger adoption of DigiYatra, which leverages facial recognition technology to facilitate paperless and contactless travel at Mangaluru Airport saw its highest-ever utilisation at 30 percent in October 2025, indicating an increasing preference among passengers for digital boarding solutions.
This translates to 22,779 out of 75,902 domestic passengers (30 percent) departing from Mangaluru International Airport opting for the facial recognition-based boarding process. This upward trend culminated in a milestone on October 5, when 1,118 passengers, representing 39 percent of domestic travellers, utilised DigiYatra in a single day. DigiYatra enables passengers to pass through key airport checkpoints without the need for physical documents, thereby enhancing both convenience and security.
The Airport has recently added one DigiYatra lane each at departure gates 1A and 1 B to go with one already operational at gate 1 A, further enabling passenger convenience. The uptake in DigiYatra at Mangaluru Airport has been gradual yet steady, with more travellers opting for the seamless experience offered by DigiYatra. The system has significantly reduced wait times at entry gates and security checkpoints, contributing to a smoother passenger journey. The integration of DigiYatra complements the airport’s broader digital-first strategy, which includes automated parking systems and the aviio app for stakeholder coordination.
The DigiYatra initiative is part of a nationwide effort to modernise air travel, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, efficiency, and biometric security. Passengers can enroll via the DigiYatra app, available on Android and iOS, and complete their registration either online or at airport kiosk, with Digi Buddies on hand to assist. Once verified, passengers can enjoy a digitally enabled journey from check-in to boarding.
About Mangaluru International Airport Limited (MgIAL)
Mangaluru International Airport Limited (MgIAL) is a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), the flagship of the globally diversified Adani Group, and the largest private operator of seven functional airports in India through Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL). AAHL holds a 49 per cent stake, while AEL, the parent company, holds the majority 51 per cent stake in MgIAL. MgIAL operates and is modernizing Mangaluru International Airport (IXE), a major aviation hub in Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.
Mangaluru International Airport, Mangaluru (IATA: IXE ICAO: VOML)
Mangaluru International Airport, with a rich history of over 70 years, is spread over 583.77 acres and holds the distinction of being Karnataka’s second busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic, having managed 2.32 million passengers in FY 2024–25. The airport, which is the first in Karnataka to have two runways, including one made of rigid pavement and overlaid with asphalt, currently caters to over 55 air traffic movements (ATMs) every day.
With a digital-first approach, the airport delivers a smooth experience for passengers through advanced technology and efficient operations. As an emerging cargo hub, IXE manages air cargo of over 5,600 metric tonnes per annum.
In July 2025, Airports Council International (ACI) awarded IXE Level 4 accreditation for customer experience. The accreditation recognises the airport's advanced practices in service design and innovation, governance, and customer understanding.
Mangaluru International Airport was the first Indian airport in the 5 million passenger category to achieve the Level 3 milestone.