Seat selection charges curbed: 60% of airline seats free from April 20
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New Delhi: Passengers flying within India may soon be able to select seats without paying extra, as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated that airlines must offer at least 60 per cent of seats free of charge from April 20.
The move follows directions from the Civil Aviation Ministry, responding to concerns over high seat selection charges levied by airlines. The DGCA’s amended circular requires airlines to make the majority of seats on every flight available without additional fees.
Airlines will also have to maintain a transparent seat allocation system and clearly display the availability of free seats and related conditions on their booking platforms. Passengers travelling on the same booking, or PNR, should be seated close to each other as far as possible, preferably in adjacent seats.
Currently, only around 20 per cent of seats are offered free, with seat selection fees ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 2,100 depending on factors such as seat location and extra legroom. The new rules are expected to benefit families and groups travelling together. Airlines, however, have expressed concerns about the financial impact of the directive.
In addition, the DGCA has instructed airlines to clearly display charges for optional services such as carrying sports equipment or musical instruments, along with terms related to liability in case of damage.
Earlier this week, DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai said the regulator is working to simplify regulations for airlines while protecting passenger rights. Speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce Aviation and Tourism Summit, he noted that the regulator is striving to balance passenger protection with airline growth.
“India’s aviation market is one of the fastest-growing in the world, but airlines are currently dealing with several operational hurdles,” Kidwai said.
With IANS inputs