Air passengers may soon have more flexibility while choosing seats without paying extra. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed airlines to offer a majority of seats free of charge, with the rule set to take effect from April 20.
60% seats to be free from April 20
According to the aviation regulator, airlines will need to ensure that "at least 60% of the seats in any flight shall be offered free of charge", as mentioned in the DGCA circular. The revised Air Transport Circular was issued on March 20, and a DGCA official told news agency PTI that it will come into force from April 20.
Also Read | Fewer flights, higher fares? Summer aviation schedule shrinks by 3,000
The move follows a March 18 announcement by the Civil Aviation Ministry instructing airlines to provide fair access to seat selection without additional fees.
Transparent seat allocation policy mandated
The regulator has also asked airlines to maintain clarity in their seat allocation process. "Airlines should maintain transparent seat allocation policies and clearly communicate the availability of free seats and applicable conditions on their booking interfaces," the circular stated.
Passengers booked under the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) should also, as far as possible, be seated together. This typically means assigning adjacent seats in the same row.
Currently, only around 20 per cent of seats can be selected without a fee, while the rest usually require payment. Reports indicate that airlines charge between Rs 200 and Rs 2,100 for seat selection, depending on seat location and features such as extra legroom.
Other directives and airline concerns
The circular further directs airlines to clearly display charges for optional services, including carrying sports equipment or musical instruments, along with liability terms in case of damage.
The DGCA said the circular will take effect 30 days after the date of issuance. The directive comes amid concerns about rising add-on charges levied by airlines.
Also Read | What happens when a plane is put on ‘hold’? Mamata Banerjee’s flight delay decoded
However, airlines have raised objections. IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet opposed the decision, warning that restricting seat selection fees could lead to higher ticket prices. The Federation of Indian Airlines also wrote to the civil aviation ministry seeking reconsideration of the move.
