The move follows concerns about airlines charging exorbitant seat selection fees, with the Civil Aviation Ministry announcing on March 18 that it had asked the regulator to ensure fairer access for passengers.
A new rule increases the share of free seats from 20% to 60%
Based on the Ministry’s directives, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued the amended Air Transport Circular on March 20, which will come into effect after 30 days, starting April 20.
Under the revised rules, airlines must ensure that at least 60% of seats on any flight are available for selection without any additional charges. At present, only about 20% of seats are generally provided free, while the rest are charged.The DGCA has also asked airlines to keep their seat allocation policies transparent and clearly display the availability of free seats, along with any applicable conditions, on their booking platforms.
“Airlines must maintain transparent seat allocation policies and clearly communicate the availability of free seats and the conditions applicable on their booking interfaces,” the regulator said in the revised circular dated March 20.
Families in the same booking should be seated together where possible
The regulator also said that passengers traveling with the same PNR (passenger name record) should, as much as possible, be seated close to each other, which usually means adjacent seats in the same row.News agency PTI quoted an official as saying that airlines are now preparing to implement the new directive.Seat selection charges currently range from Rs 200 to Rs 2,100, depending on factors like front row position and extra legroom.
Airlines object and warn of a possible increase in ticket prices
The new rule comes against the backdrop of growing criticism regarding airlines imposing exorbitant fees for additional services, especially seat selection.However, the move faced strong resistance from carriers.
According to PTI, IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet objected to the decision last week, arguing that forcing airlines to make at least 60 per cent of seats free would hurt revenues and could ultimately lead to higher airfares.In a letter sent to the civil aviation ministry on March 20, the Indian Airlines Association, which represents the three airlines, urged the government to withdraw the decision.
Charges for other optional services must also be clearly shown
Apart from seat selection, the DGCA has also directed airlines to display all charges for optional services such as carrying sports equipment or musical instruments in a clear and unambiguous manner on websites and booking portals.The regulator said airlines must also disclose any liability terms in the event of damage linked to these items.This change comes at a time when Indian airports handle more than five thousand passengers daily, underscoring the wide impact the new rule can have across the country’s fast-growing aviation market.Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai recently said that the regulatory body is trying to simplify the rules for airlines while also protecting the rights of passengers. Speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce Aviation and Tourism Summit, he said the aim is to strike a balance between supporting airline growth and protecting travellers.“The Indian aviation market is one of the fastest growing markets in the world, but airlines are currently facing many operational hurdles,” Kidwai said, quoted by Indian news agency IANS.