In a significant relief for air travellers, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airlines to make at least 60 per cent of seats on every flight available free of charge, ending the widespread practice of charging passengers extra for seat selection after booking or during web check-in.

The directive, issued through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), mandates that airlines reserve a minimum of 60 per cent of seats on each flight for free allotment. Additionally, passengers travelling on the same PNR will be seated together, with airlines required to make all efforts to provide adjacent seats — a measure that directly benefits families and group travellers who have routinely paid premium charges simply to sit next to each other.

The new guidelines extend well beyond seat allocation. Airlines will now be required to publish clear, accessible policies on carrying sports equipment, musical instruments, and pets. Passenger rights in cases of flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding will be strictly enforced, with all relevant information to be prominently displayed on airline websites, mobile apps, ticketing platforms, and airport counters — and made available in regional languages.

India's domestic aviation market, now the world's third largest, sees over 500,000 passengers travel through its airports daily. The government said the new framework is designed to match the sector's rapid growth with commensurate transparency and consumer protection. Complementary initiatives such as affordable food at UDAN passenger cafes and free airport Wi-Fi are also being expanded.