Govt Mandates 60% Free Seats On Flights To Aid Passengers

In a move to enhance ease of air travel, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airlines to allocate a minimum of 60 per cent of seats on any flight free of charge. The measure aims to ensure fair access and prevent arbitrary seat selection charges for passengers.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued the directive to improve passenger convenience, transparency, and uniform airline practices.

The Ministry has also asked airlines to seat passengers on the same PNR together, preferably in adjacent seats, and introduce clear policies for carrying sports equipment, musical instruments, and pets.

Airlines must prominently display passenger rights across platforms and communicate them in regional languages.

The government has stressed strict compliance with passenger rights, especially during delays, cancellations, and denied boarding, to reduce grievances and improve accountability.

India, now the third-largest domestic aviation market, continues to expand access through initiatives like the UDAN scheme.

The Ministry highlighted several passenger-centric initiatives, including affordable food through UDAN Yatri Cafes, access to books via Flybrary, and free Wi-Fi services at airports.

Reaffirming its commitment, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that passenger facilitation remains its top priority.

The new guidelines aim to improve the travel experience, ensure transparency, and uphold high safety standards across the aviation ecosystem.

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