Airlines will start offering at least 60 percent of seats on each flight at no additional charge from April 20, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which regulates aviation. They were also directed to follow a clear and open seat allocation policy.
This comes after the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on March 18 that airlines have been directed to ensure that at least 60 percent of seats on each flight are provided free of charge, to ensure equitable access for passengers.
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The Aviation Regulatory Authority issued a revised air transport circular on March 20. An official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation told the news agency PTI The circular will come into effect from April 20.
Providing 60% of flight seats for free: what does the circular say?
The regulatory body said airlines must ensure that “at least 60% of seats on any flight are provided free of charge,” as mentioned in the DGCA circular.
“Airlines must maintain transparent seat allocation policies and clearly communicate the availability of free seats and the applicable conditions on their booking interfaces,” the statement read.
The regulator also said that passengers booked under the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) should be seated together as much as possible. This usually means having seats next to each other in the same row.
An official told the news agency that airlines are preparing to implement the new rule. At present, only 20 percent of seats can be chosen without a fee, while the rest require payment.
Reports say that airlines usually charge fees ranging from $200 and $2100 to choose a seat. The cost depends on factors such as front row seats and seats that provide extra legroom.
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Other DGCA guidance for airlines
The circular also stated that all fees for optional services, such as carrying sports equipment or musical instruments, along with liability terms in the event of damage, must be clearly and unambiguously displayed on airline websites and booking platforms.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said that the circular will enter into force 30 days from the date of its issuance.
The move comes at a time of growing concerns about airlines charging high fees for various services, including seat selection.
Last week, IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet strongly opposed the decision. They said that stopping airlines from charging fees for at least 60 percent of seats will prompt them to raise ticket prices to compensate for the loss in revenue.
In a letter sent to the civil aviation ministry on March 20, the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which represents the three airlines, asked the ministry to reconsider and withdraw the decision.
