Big Relief: Government Caps Airline Seat Charges, 60% Seats to Be Free of Extra Fees

In a major relief for air travelers, the Government of India has taken a strong step to curb arbitrary extra charges imposed by airlines. Under the new directive, airlines must ensure that at least 60% of seats on every flight are offered without any additional seat selection charges. This move aims to stop airlines from charging passengers unnecessarily for choosing regular seats, even when many are available. Only premium seats, such as those with extra legroom, may continue to carry additional fees. Another key relief is for passengers traveling together under a single booking or PNR. Airlines are now required to make efforts to seat such passengers together, ensuring families and groups are not split across different rows. The decision comes amid rising travel costs, partly due to increasing fuel prices, which had added financial pressure on passengers. By regulating seat selection fees, the government aims to make air travel more affordable and passenger-friendly. However, it remains to be seen how strictly airlines implement these new rules and how effectively they are enforced.

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