Relief for flyers as government mandates 60% seats on flights be free of charge
India Today
Air travel rules are set for a shake-up as the government cracks down on hidden charges and pushes airlines to prioritise passengers. What changes for your next flight and what airlines must now do.
Air travellers in India may soon see a major relief in hidden costs, with the government stepping in to curb extra charges on seat selection and tighten passenger rights across airlines.
In a significant move, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airline operators to ensure that at least 60 per cent of seats on any flight are allocated free of cost for selection.
The order, issued through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, aims to make air travel more accessible and transparent.
Several airlines had been charging additional fees for preferred seat selection after ticket booking or during web check-in. The new direction seeks to address these practices and ensure “fair access” for passengers.
The ministry has also asked airlines to ensure that passengers travelling on the same PNR are seated together, preferably in adjacent seats.
This is expected to bring relief to families and groups who often had to pay extra to secure seats next to each other.
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