New Delhi: Major airlines including Air India and IndiGo have objected to a recent set of guidelines issued by the Union Civil Aviation Ministry aimed at improving passenger convenience and service standards.
Under current practice, passengers are often charged extra during booking to choose preferred seats such as window seats, while only a limited number of seats are available without an additional fee.
The new guideline proposes that airlines should provide up to 60% of seats to passengers without collecting any extra charge for seat selection.
In a statement, the Federation of Indian Airlines said implementing such a rule would create significant financial strain for carriers, and fares may be increased to offset the loss. The body also argued that pricing and seat allocation are core business decisions, said the order was issued without prior consultation, and questioned the ministry’s authority to set charges for such services.
