Kolkata Airport Announced Discounts for Digi Yatra Users!

In a recent meeting led by the airport director, significant proposals were made to enhance the experience for travelers enrolled in the DigiYatra app at Kolkata Airport. Commencing next month, these flyers may enjoy a 10% discount on food purchases within the airport premises. Additionally, plans are underway to establish exclusive baggage drop counters for DigiYatra users, a move that has received preliminary approval.

The meeting, convened to promote the paperless, facial recognition travel app, aimed at increasing the user count of DigiYatra. Presently, approximately half of the flyers departing from Kolkata utilize DigiYatra. Various stakeholders from travel agencies, hotels, and airlines attended the session. Earlier this week, concerns were raised about non-DigiYatra passengers experiencing congestion at the entrance due to limited gates, contrasting with the five gates allocated for DigiYatra-enabled travelers.

Under the proposed changes, DigiYatra users stand to benefit from a 10% discount on food purchased at the security hold area's food courts or kiosks in the domestic wing. Travel Food Services, the master franchisee for food retail at the airport, has been tasked with installing DigiYatra standees at counters to encourage non-app users to download it.

While the food discount serves as a financial incentive, participants in the meeting have suggested the introduction of separate airline counters. This move aims to streamline the check-in process for DigiYatra users, sparing them from lengthy queues at general check-in counters.

An airport official stated, "DigiYatra presently helps bypass queues at gates and security check portals. However, the only bottleneck remains at the check-in portals. The meeting participants have proposed dedicated baggage drop counters to address this."

Representatives from the Airline Operators’ Committee (AOC), responsible for carriers operating from Kolkata, were present at the meeting. Anil Punjabi, a member of the Travel Agents Federation of India's national committee (east India), expressed, "Kolkata airport is working on incentives to promote greater DigiYatra usage, making airport access more convenient. We will encourage customers booking through us to download and register with DigiYatra."

Manav Soni, president (east) of the Travel Agents Association of India, welcomed the airport's efforts to boost DigiYatra and affirmed the industry's support. "Kolkata airport leads among metro airports in DigiYatra performance. We will contribute to maintaining Kolkata's forefront position," said Soni. Senior officials from star hotels and other representatives of the hospitality industry also attended the meeting, signaling widespread industry support for the initiative.