Airlines in India will be required to offer at least 60 per cent of seats on every flight free of charge starting April 20, following a directive issued by the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The move is aimed at ensuring fair access for passengers and improving transparency in seat allocation practices.
The decision stems from an announcement made by the Civil Aviation Ministry on March 18, after which the DGCA issued an amended Air Transport Circular on March 20. The revised rules will come into force 30 days after issuance, making April 20 the effective date for implementation.
Under the new guidelines, airlines must ensure that a minimum of 60 per cent of seats on any flight are available for selection without additional charges. They are also required to maintain clear and transparent seat allocation policies and explicitly display the availability of free seats, along with any applicable conditions, on their booking platforms.
The circular further states that passengers travelling under the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) should, as far as possible, be seated together, typically in adjacent seats within the same row.
Currently, only about 20 per cent of seats are offered free of cost, while the remaining seats often carry additional charges ranging from ₹200 to ₹2,100, depending on factors such as seat location and extra legroom.
The regulator has also mandated that airlines clearly disclose charges related to optional services, such as carrying sports equipment or musical instruments, including any liability conditions in case of damage. This information must be presented in a transparent and unambiguous manner on airline websites and booking interfaces.
Airlines are now preparing to implement these changes, although the move has faced resistance from the industry. Carriers such as IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, through the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), have raised concerns that the directive could impact their revenue streams and potentially lead to higher ticket prices as they attempt to offset losses from reduced seat selection fees.
The policy change comes amid growing criticism over rising ancillary charges imposed by airlines, particularly for services like seat selection. With Indian airports handling over five lakh passengers daily, the new rules are expected to have a significant impact on the overall travel experience.
