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In a landmark move to protect air travelers from spiraling “hidden” costs, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has issued a sweeping directive mandating that airlines provide at least 60% of flight seats without any additional selection fees.
The new policy, announced on March 18, 2026, through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), aims to restore fairness to the booking process and ensure that the basic airfare remains inclusive of essential seating.
Key Pillars of the New Aviation Directive
The directive introduces several passenger-first reforms designed to standardize practices across India’s rapidly growing aviation sector:
- The 60% Free-Selection Mandate
Airlines are now prohibited from charging seat selection fees for a minimum of 60% of seats on any given flight. This effectively creates a “free-to-choose” floor, preventing carriers from monetizing the entire cabin map—a practice that had increasingly left only middle seats available for free. - Mandatory Family Seating (Same PNR)
In a major win for families, the Ministry has directed that passengers booked under the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) must be seated together, preferably in adjacent seats. This eliminates the “split-seating” tactic where groups were often scattered across the plane unless they paid a premium. - Transparency for “Special” Cargo
The DGCA has called for clear, passenger-friendly policies regarding:
- Sports Equipment & Musical Instruments: Transparent handling and fee structures.
- Pet Carriage: Standardized guidelines to remove the ambiguity currently faced by pet owners.
- Visibility of Passenger Rights
Airlines must now prominently display passenger entitlements regarding delays, cancellations, and denied boarding across all digital and physical touchpoints, including:
- Mobile apps and websites.
- Third-party booking platforms.
- Physical airport counters.
- Multilingual Support: Entitlements must be communicated in regional languages to ensure accessibility for all travelers.
Why Now?
The intervention follows a surge in passenger grievances. Historically, airlines offered roughly 20% of seats for free, often restricting these to the least desirable locations. With India now the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world—handling over 500,000 passengers daily—the government viewed the “blanket” monetization of seat maps as an exploitation of the traveling public.
“Passenger facilitation remains our highest priority,” the Ministry stated. “These measures are aimed at enhancing convenience, ensuring transparency, and reducing grievances while maintaining the highest safety standards.”
Impact on the Industry
While the move is a victory for flyers, it presents a challenge for airline revenue models. Ancillary income (fees from seats, meals, and baggage) has become a critical profit driver. Following the announcement, shares of major carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet saw immediate pressure as investors weighed the potential impact on margins.
