Directorate General of Civil Aviation has mandated airlines to offer at least 60% of seats free of charge from April 20, aiming to improve transparency and passenger access, though carriers warn the move could lead to higher ticket prices.
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has directed airlines to offer at least 60 per cent of seats on every flight free of charge starting April 20, in a move aimed at improving transparency and passenger access.
The directive follows an announcement by the civil aviation ministry on March 18, pushing carriers to make a majority of seats available without additional fees.
A revised Air Transport Circular issued on March 20 will formally bring the rule into effect next month.
Under the new guidelines, airlines must ensure “at least 60 per cent of the seats in any flight shall be offered free of charge.”
Clear and transparent allocation policies
They have also been asked to adopt clear and transparent seat allocation policies, with full disclosure of free seat availability and any applicable conditions on booking platforms.
The DGCA has further instructed airlines to seat passengers booked under the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) together, as far as possible, ensuring greater convenience for families and groups travelling together.
Currently, only around 20 per cent of seats are typically available without extra charges, while the rest require passengers to pay fees ranging from ₹200 to ₹2,100, depending on seat location and additional features such as extra legroom.
Airline will clearly display optional charges
The circular also mandates that airlines clearly display charges for optional services, including the carriage of sports equipment or musical instruments, along with liability terms in case of damage.
The move comes amid growing concerns over rising ancillary charges in air travel.
Members of the Federation of Indian Airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, have warned that limiting paid seat selection could lead to higher base fares as carriers attempt to offset revenue losses.
In a letter to the ministry, the industry body has urged authorities to reconsider the decision, highlighting its potential impact on airline pricing structures.
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