After IT returns, PAN cards now Aadhaar for air travel?

Aadhaar cards which have gained importance for the Indian citizens for everything including filing tax returns, applying for Permanent Account Number (PAN) cards it may now become a must for booking flight tickets too.

IT major, Wipro has been asked by the government to come up with a blueprint for Aadhaar based biometric access to flyers at all airports in India, a report by Times of India said on Wednesday.

Quoting Airports Authority of India (AAI) chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra, the report said that a joint system for biometrics use to be utilised by all airports was in the works.

“Wipro has been asked to develop a concept note in this regard after consulting all stakeholders, including the JV airport operators. We are seeing what all airport processes can be made e-enabled,” Mohapatra added.

Security rules of airports in India entails that flyers produce an ID card along with their tickets to be allowed inside the airport terminal.

Mohapatra further said that once flyers reach the terminals they were flying out of they would require to keep their thumbs on touch pads placed at the entrance to verify their identity.

“Once inside, a similar process can be repeated at other places like check-in. We want passengers to have as seamless and effortless travel experience at airports as possible," Mohapatra added.

Earlier in March the government was also mulling over introducing Aadhaar for booking railway tickets online.

A PTI report said that one time registration at IRCTC ticketing site will be required for eliminating touts from registering with fake identities.