March 18, New Delhi – The Centre has taken action against airlines' extra charges, making seat selection fairer and more transparent.
Announcing these measures, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said that at least 60% of seats on any flight must be allocated free of charge. Until now, only about 20% of seats were free, forcing passengers to pay more for preferred seating.
Other relief measures include: passengers traveling on the same PNR should be seated together, and airlines must provide clear, transparent policies for carrying sports equipment, musical instruments, and pets. Airlines are also required to strictly adhere to passenger rights, particularly regarding delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. Passenger entitlements must be clearly communicated across airline websites, booking platforms, airport counters, and in regional languages.
This move comes amid growing complaints over high ancillary charges, especially for seat selection. The government will now ensure stronger enforcement of passenger rights, particularly during delays and cancellations. India is now the world's third-largest domestic aviation market, with over 5 lakh passengers flying daily. Schemes like UDAN have made air travel more accessible across smaller cities.
(Photo Source: @RamMNK)