US EditionAfter Pushback From Airlines, Govt Puts on Hold Order Mandating 60% Free Seats on Flights
Airlines warned the rule would disrupt fare structures and cut ancillary revenue, while most Indian carriers now offer only 20% to 30% of seats free.
- On Thursday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation placed its directive requiring airlines to offer at least 60% of seats free of charge on hold, pending a "comprehensive examination" of the mandate's impact.
- The Federation of Indian Airlines —including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet—along with Akasa Air, challenged the rule, arguing it would disrupt fare structures and reduce ancillary revenue.
- Most Indian airlines currently provide 20-30% of seats for free, relying on seat selection fees to keep base fares low; mandating more than half of seats be free could significantly reduce non-ticket revenue.
- While the seat mandate is paused, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation will enforce other measures, requiring airlines to ensure transparency in seat allocation and facilitate carriage of sports equipment in a "transparent and passenger-friendly manner."
- Officials will now study the policy's operational implications before deciding on future implementation, while the government maintains the status quo and ensures existing passenger rights frameworks for delays and cancellations remain in full effect.
18 Articles
18 Articles
After pushback from airlines, Govt puts on hold order mandating 60% free seats on flights
On March 18, the DGCA had directed airlines to ensure that at least 60% of seats on flights are offered without any selection fee and passengers on the same booking reference, or PNR, are seated together, “preferably in adjacent seats”, among a few passenger friendly measures.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has temporarily suspended the 60% free seat allocation order, providing relief to airlines. The FIA, the governing body representing IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, had objected to this rule. The government will now review this policy, as it could impact the fare structure and airlines' business.
Govt puts 60% airline seats free of charge order on hold after industry pushback - The Tribune
In an official communication dated April 2, the Ministry says the provision requiring scheduled airlines to provide a minimum of 60 per cent seats free of cost will remain in abeyance until further orders.
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