Centre pauses airlines’ 60% free seat selection rule:Carriers allow passengers to select 20% seats for free

The Central Government has temporarily put on hold the directive that airlines must allow passengers to choose 60% of seats on a flight without any extra charge. News agency PTI, citing sources, reported that this rule, which was supposed to be implemented from 20 April has now been postponed until further notice. Fifteen days ago, on 18 March, the Ministry of Civil Aviation had stated that the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) had been instructed to ensure that a minimum of 60% of seats on any flight were made available for seat selection without charge. The stated aim was to provide passengers with equal opportunities in choosing their seats. According to the ministry, objections were raised by the Federation of Indian Airlines during a review of the issue. These included concerns about operational impact, the effect on fares, and alignment with the existing deregulated tariff system. The ministry stated that the provision of providing 60% of seats free of charge will not be implemented until a comprehensive investigation is completed. Current Rule Applies to Only 20% of Seats Under the existing rules, only 20% of seats can be booked by passengers without paying extra charges, while payment is required for the remaining seats. According to reports, airlines currently charge extra fees ranging from ₹500 to ₹3,000 for selecting preferred seats. Airlines Cannot Charge Extra in the Name of ‘Preferred Seats’ It is often observed that after booking tickets, when passengers do web check-in, they find only 20% of the seat options available for free. For the remaining seats, companies charge heavily in the name of ‘Preferred Seats’. The DGCA’s 15-day-old order stated that 60% of seats on every flight should be such that passengers can choose them without any extra charge. However, this will not be implemented yet. Naidu Says India Is 3rd Largest Domestic Aviation Market in the World Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said that India has become the third largest domestic aviation market in the world. Indian airports are now handling more than 5,00,000 passengers every day. The UDAN scheme (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) has made air travel accessible to everyone in India, not just the wealthy. Continuous efforts are being made to make air travel even easier in the country, such as UDAN Yatri Cafes, where affordable food is available, Flybrary, where books are available for free reading, and free Wi-Fi at the terminal.