The Government of India has put on hold its earlier directive requiring airlines to offer at least 60% of seats free of charge, pending further review of its impact on the aviation sector.
In a communication to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that the decision was taken after re-examining concerns raised by industry stakeholders.
Industry Concerns Lead to Review
Airlines, represented by the Federation of Indian Airlines, along with carriers such as Akasa Air, highlighted operational and commercial challenges associated with the mandate.
These concerns included potential disruptions to fare structures and misalignment with India’s deregulated aviation pricing framework.
As a result, the Ministry has decided to keep the 60% free seat provision in abeyance until further orders, allowing time for a comprehensive review.
Passenger-Friendly Measures to Continue
Despite the rollback, the DGCA has been instructed to continue enforcing other passenger-centric measures introduced earlier. These include:
- Transparency in seat allocation
- Ensuring passengers on the same PNR are seated together
- Clear disclosure of all applicable charges
- Guidelines for carriage of musical instruments, sports equipment, and pets
The Ministry emphasized that these measures are essential to improving passenger experience and maintaining transparency in airline operations.
Balancing Regulation and Industry Viability
The move reflects the government’s effort to strike a balance between protecting passenger interests and ensuring the commercial viability of airlines.
The decision, approved by the competent authority, comes at a time when the aviation sector is already navigating cost pressures and operational challenges.
Industry experts believe the final outcome of the review could shape future policies around ancillary charges and passenger rights in India’s rapidly growing aviation market.
Follow Travel Trade News social media channels for the latest updates on travel, tourism, aviation, hospitality, and industry news.
To publish your news, press releases, or industry updates, reach out to us at connect@ttnconnect.world