In a major decision, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has instructed airlines to provide at least 60% of seats free of cost on every domestic flight. The order has been issued through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ensure fair access and reduce hidden charges. Earlier, only around 20% of seats were free, and passengers had to pay extra for most preferred seats.
The government has made this new rule to help air passengers avoid extra charges. Earlier, when people booked flight tickets, only a small number of seats (around 20%) were free to select. If passengers wanted to choose a better or specific seat (like window or front seats), they had to pay extra money during booking or web check-in.
Now, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has told airlines that at least 60% of seats must be available for free selection on every domestic flight. This rule is being implemented through the DGCA (aviation regulator) to make the system more fair and transparent.
What this means for passengers
- You will get more seat options without paying extra
- You may not need to pay separately for basic seat selection
- It reduces hidden charges after ticket booking
Important point
- The ticket price will not decrease
- But you will save money on seat selection fees
- Free Seat Selection: At least 60% of seats on every flight must be available free of charge to ensure fair access.
- Family Seating: Passengers travelling on the same PNR should be seated together, preferably in adjacent seats.
- Baggage & Special Items: Airlines must allow carriage of sports equipment and musical instruments in a transparent and passenger-friendly manner, as per safety rules.
- Pet Travel Policy: Airlines must clearly define and display policies for travelling with pets.
- Passenger Rights Protection: Airlines must strictly follow rules related to delays, cancellations, and denied boarding.
- Clear Information Display: Passenger rights must be clearly shown on airline websites, apps, booking platforms, and airport counters.
- Regional Language Support: Passenger rights and benefits should be explained in regional languages for better understanding.
Families to Be Seated Together
The government has also directed airlines to ensure that passengers travelling on the same PNR are seated together, preferably in adjacent seats. This will help families and groups who were earlier forced to pay extra to sit together during their journey.
Clear Rules for Baggage and Pets
Airlines will now have to introduce clear and transparent policies for additional services. The DGCA will ensure smooth and well-defined rules for carrying sports equipment and musical instruments. Airlines will also need to provide clear guidelines for travelling with pets, as passengers often face confusion in such cases.
Stronger Passenger Rights
The government has asked airlines to strictly follow passenger rights, especially in cases of delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. Airlines must clearly display these rights on their websites, mobile apps, booking platforms, and airport counters. Passengers should also be informed about their rights in regional languages to improve awareness.
Decision After Rising Complaints
This move comes after increasing complaints from passengers about high extra charges, especially for seat selection. The government aims to bring more transparency and uniformity in airline practices and reduce the burden of additional costs on travellers.
Growing Aviation Sector
India’s aviation sector is growing rapidly and has become the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world. Airports handle more than five lakh passengers daily. The government has said that passenger convenience remains a top priority, with initiatives like UDAN Yatri Cafes for affordable food and free Wi-Fi at airports.
