New Delhi, 18 March (H.S.):

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued new passenger‑friendly guidelines to make air travel more transparent and affordable, directing airlines to keep at least 60% of seats on every domestic flight free of additional selection charges. The move, announced on Wednesday, is aimed at ending opaque upselling of “preferred” seats and ensuring equal access for all travellers.

Under the fresh directives, airline companies are required to make a minimum of 60% of seats available without an extra fee, confining paid‑seat options to the remaining portion. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked carriers to implement this rule on all domestic flights, stressing that the practice of hiking prices for seat choice will be monitored closely to ensure “fair access” and protect passengers from hidden costs.

The guidelines also emphasise that passengers travelling on the same PNR (Passenger Name Record) must be seated together, especially families or groups. Airlines will be expected to make every reasonable effort to allocate adjacent seats so that parents, children and companions can travel side by side, reducing the stress of separation and long‑haul discomfort. This builds on earlier DGCA norms that already require children up to 12 years to be seated with at least one parent or guardian on the same booking.

Minister of Civil Aviation K. Ram Mohan Naidu said the directives are part of a broader push to improve the flying experience. The new rules include not only the 60% no‑fee‑seat clause and family‑seating provisions but also clear and transparent policies on the carriage of sports equipment, musical instruments and pet animals, including size, weight, charges and documentation.

The Minister also said passenger‑rights enforcement will be strengthened in cases of delays and cancellations, with clearer timelines for refunds and re‑routing.

The Ministry has instructed airlines to prominently display passenger‑rights information on their websites, mobile apps, booking platforms and airport counters, and to provide key details in regional languages to ensure wider awareness and accessibility. The administration reiterated its commitment to enhancing service quality, increasing transparency, reducing complaints and maintaining the highest safety standards across the civil‑aviation system.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar