Air passengers in India may soon see major relief in seat selection charges. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has asked airlines to offer at least 60 percent of seats free of cost, which is a sharp rise from current limited availability.
The new rule is expected to come into effect from April 20. It follows rising complaints from passengers about high seat selection fees. Many travellers currently pay a few hundred to over two thousand rupees even on short domestic flights.
Under the updated guidelines, airlines must clearly show which seats are free during booking. Transparency in pricing and seat availability will be essential. This step aims to reduce confusion and help passengers make informed decisions while booking tickets.
The directive also focuses on families and group travellers. Airlines have been asked to seat passengers from the same booking as close as possible. This addresses a common issue where families are split across rows despite travelling together.
Airlines, however, have raised concerns about the financial impact of this move. They argue that offering more free seats may affect revenue. This could eventually lead to higher ticket prices, which remains a concern for frequent flyers.
The decision comes at a time when India’s aviation sector is growing rapidly. With more people choosing air travel, such rules aim to improve passenger experience. The real impact will become clear once the policy is fully implemented.
