Overview
- Government sources on Monday said the new order requiring most seats to be free to select will remain in place despite airline opposition.
- The DGCA circular issued March 20 takes effect April 20, raising the free seat share to 60% from about 20%.
- Airlines must seat people on the same booking near each other and clearly show how many free seats remain along with all fees for extras such as sports gear and musical instruments.
- IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet, via the Federation of Indian Airlines, asked the ministry to withdraw the rule and warned base fares could rise to replace lost seat‑selection revenue.
- Airlines are reworking booking systems before the April 20 start, and the regulator says it can halt specific optional fees if opt‑in, transparency or non‑discrimination rules are violated.