- Ministry of Civil Aviation issues new DGCA rules to boost passenger convenience and uniformity
- At least 60% of seats on flights must be allocated free of charge for fair access
- Passengers on the same PNR will be seated together, preferably in adjacent seats
The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Wednesday issued new directions to boost passengers' convenience and bring uniformity across operational practices to deal with seat availability and flight delays.
The latest directions from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) primarily emphasises passenger rights on delays, cancellations, and denied boarding, and carriage rules for sports equipment, musical instruments and pets. These reforms come after the previously introduced passenger-centric initiatives aimed to enhance ease of travel, including cafes for affordable food, free access to books, and provision of free Wi-Fi at airports.
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Here Are The Latest Directions:
1. Free seat allocation: Atleast 60% of seats on any flight are to be allocated free of charge, aimed at ensuring fair access.
2. Seating rules: Passengers travelling on the same PNR will be seated together, preferably in adjacent seats
3. Carriage rules: Sports equipment and musical instruments must be carried in a transparent and passenger-friendly manner, subject to applicable safety and operational regulations.
4. Rules for pets: Airlines should issue clear and transparent policies for the carriage of pets.
5. Update on delays, cancellations etc: Passenger rights framework must be followed strictly, especially in cases of delays, cancellations, and denial of boarding.
6. Display of rules: Passenger rights should be prominently displayed across airline websites, mobile applications, booking platforms, and airport counters, aiming to ensure convenience and awareness for passengers.
7. Passenger rights in regional languages: Clear communication regarding passenger entitlements in regional languages must be provided to ensure wider accessibility and awareness.
Rising Air Travel
India is currently the world's third-largest domestic aviation market, supported by rising disposable incomes, urbanisation, and increasing preference for air travel. The country's airport network has grown from 74 airports in 2014 to 162 airports as of September 2025, more than doubling in a decade.
Passenger traffic, both domestic and international, stood at 237.42 million during FY26 (April-October 2025), while freight traffic reached 2.28 MMT in the same period, according to a government-backed think tank.
Domestic passenger traffic alone is projected to rise 7-10% in FY26, reaching 175-181 million, according to ICRA.
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