The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced that airlines will be required to offer 60 per cent of seats for selection free of charge starting April 20.
The aviation regulator had amended its Air Transport Circular on March 20, directing airlines to provide a higher proportion of free seat allocations. On Sunday, the DGCA clarified that the directive will come into force 30 days after the issuance of the circular. In addition to offering free seats, airlines must also maintain a transparent seat allocation policy.
Civil Aviation Ministry Directs Airlines to Provide 60 Per Cent Free Seats
On March 18, the civil aviation ministry announced that it had instructed the DGCA to ensure airlines allocate at least 60 per cent of seats on every flight free of charge, in order to guarantee fair access for passengers. Following this, the DGCA issued the revised Air Transport Circular on March 20.
A DGCA official confirmed that the new rule will take effect from April 20.
The regulator has stated that airlines must ensure at least “60 per cent of the seats in any flight shall be offered free of charge.”
“Airlines should maintain transparent seat allocation policies and clearly communicate the availability of free seats and applicable conditions on their booking interfaces,” the revised circular dated March 20 noted.
Additionally, the DGCA has directed that passengers traveling on the same PNR (Passenger Name Record) should, as far as possible, be seated close to each other—ideally in adjacent seats within the same row.
An official added that airlines are currently preparing to implement the directive.
At present, only about 20 per cent of seats are available for free selection, with the remaining seats requiring payment.
Why DGCA Directed Airlines to Offer Free Seats
Airlines typically charge between Rs 200 and Rs 2,100 for seat selection, depending on factors such as seat location, including front rows and extra legroom options, according to a travel industry executive.
The circular also specifies that all charges related to optional services—such as carrying sports equipment or musical instruments—along with liability conditions in case of damage, must be displayed clearly and transparently on airline websites and booking platforms.
The DGCA reiterated that the circular will come into effect 30 days from its issuance.
Move Comes Amid Airline Objections
The decision comes amid growing concerns over high charges imposed by airlines for additional services, including seat selection.
Recently, IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet raised strong objections to the directive, arguing that requiring airlines to offer at least 60 per cent of seats free of charge would impact their revenue. They warned that such a move could lead to higher airfares as airlines attempt to offset losses.
In a letter dated March 20 to the civil aviation ministry, the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), representing these carriers, urged the government to reconsider and roll back the decision.
Indian airports currently handle over five lakh passengers daily.