Relief for travelers: the government requires that 60% of airline seats be provided at no cost.

The government has ordered airlines to eliminate extra fees for seat selection, thus Indian travelers will soon be free of additional costs. The change ends the practice of paying more for preferred seats after buying or during web check-in, but it does not really lower the ticket price. Instead, it guarantees that at least 60% of seats on any domestic trip can be selected for free. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a significant order prohibiting airlines from charging extra for at least 60% of seats on any domestic flight.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued the directive with the intention of guaranteeing “fair access” and lowering the expenses that travelers frequently incur after purchasing tickets or during check-in.

Until now, only around 20 per cent of seats were available free of cost, with airlines charging for the majority of preferred seats.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the move is part of broader efforts to strengthen passenger facilitation. “60 per cent seats free of charge, assured seating together for families, and clear, transparent norms for carriage of sports equipment, musical instruments and pets,” he said in a post.

Additionally, the government has instructed airlines to guarantee that customers on the same PNR be seated together, ideally in adjacent seats. 

Families and groups that were frequently had to pay more to reserve seats adjacent to one another are anticipated to profit from this move.For extra services, airlines will now need to implement clear, passenger-friendly policies.
The DGCA is responsible for making sure that musical instruments and sporting goods are transported smoothly while adhering to operational and safety standards. Airlines will also need to have clear, publicly accessible policies for pet carriage, which has frequently caused uncertainty among travelers.

The directions come against the backdrop of growing concerns over airlines charging high fees for various services, including seat selection. Officials said the measures are aimed at bringing transparency and uniformity in airline practices, while reducing the burden of additional costs on travellers.With airports serving more than five lakh people every day, India’s domestic aviation industry has grown quickly to become the world’s third-largest market. In light of this, the ministry has reaffirmed that “passenger facilitation remains the highest priority,” citing programs like UDAN Yatri Cafes, which offer free Wi-Fi and reasonably priced meals at airports.  As the industry continues to expand, the most recent action is anticipated to make flying more consumer-friendly.