The government has decided to suspend its directive requiring airlines to offer a minimum of 60% of seats on flights without extra charges, which was scheduled to be enforced from April 20. This decision follows concerns raised by the Federation of Indian Airlines and Akasa Air regarding the operational and commercial impact of the provision on fare structures and its alignment with the existing deregulated tariff system. As a result of these considerations and pending a thorough evaluation, the requirement to provide 60% of seats free of charge has been put on hold until further notice.
Currently, passengers can book 20% of seats on a flight without any additional cost, while the remaining seats are subject to fees. Airlines typically charge passengers between Rs 200 and Rs 2,100 for seat selection, depending on factors like seat location and additional legroom. The initial directive issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry on March 18 aimed to address growing passenger grievances regarding high fees for services such as seat selection.
The Ministry had introduced new guidelines through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandating that passengers traveling on the same booking reference (PNR) should be seated together, preferably in adjacent seats, among other passenger-centric measures. This decision comes at a time when India has become the third-largest domestic aviation market globally, with Indian airports handling more than five lakh passengers daily. The Ministry emphasized its commitment to enhancing passenger convenience, ensuring transparency, and maintaining safety standards within the aviation sector.
