New Delhi, India: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has placed on hold its directive requiring airlines to offer at least 60 per cent of seats on every flight without additional seat selection charges, effectively pausing a key passenger-rights reform introduced last month.
According to official communication cited by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the provision has been kept “in abeyance till further orders” pending a comprehensive review of its operational and commercial implications.
The directive, announced on March 18, 2026, had proposed that airlines make a majority of seats available for free selection at the time of booking. It also aimed to address long-standing passenger concerns over paid seating preferences and family members being separated during allocation.
However, the ministry has now paused implementation after receiving representations from airline operators and industry bodies, including the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which represents major carriers such as IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet.
Airlines had strongly opposed the move, arguing that seat-selection fees form a significant portion of their ancillary revenue. Industry stakeholders warned that limiting this income stream could force carriers to increase base fares across the board, potentially impacting overall affordability for passengers.
According to the ministry’s communication to DGCA, the decision to pause the directive was taken after reviewing concerns related to “operational and commercial implications,” as well as consistency with India’s deregulated airfare framework.
Under the current system, airlines are permitted to independently price services such as preferred seating, baggage, and meals, with regulators intervening only in cases of unfair or non-transparent practices.
The suspended directive was originally introduced as part of a broader effort to improve transparency in airline pricing and address complaints regarding “dark patterns” in seat allocation, where passengers often end up paying extra to avoid random seating.
At present, airlines typically offer only 20% share of seats free of charge, with the rest subject to selection fees that vary depending on seat location and demand.
The ministry has not indicated a timeline for a revised framework, stating that the matter remains under examination. With the directive now on hold, airlines will continue operating under the existing seat selection policy until further notice. The government is expected to reassess the balance between consumer protection and airline financial sustainability before issuing a revised order.
