The Ministry of Civil Aviation has put on hold its directive that would have required Indian airlines to offer at least 60 percent of seats on each flight free of charge from April 20, effectively suspending the rule “until further orders.” The move comes just weeks after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had mandated that airlines allocate a minimum of 60% of seats for free selection, in a bid to curb high add‑on fees and ensure fair access to passengers.
Why the rule was paused
The suspension follows strong objections from the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA)—which includes IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air—arguing that the 60‑percent‑free model would hit revenues, distort the deregulated fare regime, and potentially push up base fares amid already high aviation‑fuel prices. The civil aviation ministry has now notified airlines that the 60‑percent‑free seat‑selection provision will remain in abeyance while the government re‑examines the measure’s impact on operations and pricing.
What it means for passengers
With the directive on hold, airlines will continue to charge passengers for seat selection—typically between ₹300 and ₹3,000 depending on the route and category—until a revised policy is issued. The government’s original intent was to increase transparency and reduce “hidden” add‑ons, but the pushback has forced a pause rather than a full rollback, leaving the door open for a softer or phased‑in compromise later.
