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federation of indian airlines

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.

Govt Puts 60% No-Fee Seat Selection Rule On Hold Amid Airline Revenue Concerns

Aviation Today News Desk / April 3, 2026

New Delhi, India: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has placed on hold its directive requiring airlines to offer at least […]

IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet Flag DGCA’s Revised FDTL Framework As More Restrictive SEO DES: In a letter to DGCA, the FIA sought globally harmonised, evidence-based norms, saying fatigue should be managed via flight duty period, not flight time SOCIAL: India’s major airlines, through the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), have urged the DGCA to revise new FDTL and cabin crew rest norms, calling them more restrictive than global standards and operationally disruptive. The carriers argue the rules limit rostering flexibility, contributed to flight disruptions after enforcement in late 2025, and should focus on flight duty period rather than flight time. While the DGCA maintains strict compliance for safety, airlines continue to seek globally aligned, practical fatigue management norms. Delhi, India: India’s leading airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, have raised strong objections to newly implemented Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) and cabin crew rest norms, claiming the rules are more restrictive than global standards and could disrupt flight operations, according to a report by PTI. The carriers, through the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), have written to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requesting reconsideration of certain provisions, arguing that the framework limits flexibility in crew rostering, particularly during peak travel periods. Industry insiders warn that stringent compliance could affect domestic flight schedules and hinder operational efficiency. “While we fully support the objective of ensuring crew safety, some of the proposed restrictions are operationally challenging and do not align with global fatigue management practices,” the FIA said in a letter to the DGCA dated January 12. In this letter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) called for “globally harmonised, evidence-based and operationally practical provisions” in the final norms. The FIA emphasized that flight duty period, rather than flight time, should be the primary measure used to manage daily cabin crew fatigue. “Duty and rest limits may focus on Flight Duty Period and minimum rest periods, avoiding cumulative caps or direct linkage to the number of landings,” the FIA said in the letter, as reported by PTI. The airlines’ opposition highlights the real-world impact of these rules. By November 1, 2025, stricter FDTL norms were enforced, leading to operational disruptions in December that contributed to widespread IndiGo flight cancellations and delays, in which they had to adjust pilot and crew rosters to comply with new duty hour limits. Airlines argue that the regulatory framework, while well-intentioned, does not adequately account for the operational realities of India’s high-frequency domestic market, potentially creating a mismatch between safety compliance and service reliability. After granting temporary exemptions to IndiGo for night duty adjustments in late 2025, the DGCA confirmed that all carriers must now fully comply with the revised rules as of February 2026. Failure to adhere could result in regulatory scrutiny and enforcement action. The DGCA has also reiterated to the Delhi High Court that weekly pilot rest norms remain mandatory, maintaining the regulator’s firm stance on crew fatigue management. With stricter FDTL rules now fully in effect, India’s aviation sector faces a delicate balance between operational efficiency and safety compliance. While regulators emphasize safety as the top priority, airlines continue to lobby for adjustments that better reflect international practices and operational realities.

IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet Flag DGCA’s Revised FDTL Framework As More Restrictive

Aviation Today News Desk / February 13, 2026

Delhi, India: India’s leading airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, have raised strong objections to newly implemented Flight Duty

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