Airlines including IndiGo. Air India and SpiceJet have raised strong objections to the government’s decision to ensure that at least 60% of seats on any flight are available for free selection. This direction comes after many passengers flagged hidden costs such as seat selection charges. The airlines have said that this move will force them to hike airfares to recover lost revenues. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has also urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to take steps to withdraw the decision. The ministry on Wednesday announced that directions have been issued to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to direct airlines to allocate a minimum of 60% of seats for selection on any flight free of cost.
At present, seats on aircraft are priced according to the location. Window and aisle seats attract higher charges;the same applies to extra legroom seats. Seats in the middle row and at the back, generally do not attract extra charges. Passengers have repeatedly highlighted on social media the extra cost of seat selection. India is the third largest domestic aviation market globally. The Civil Aviation Ministry has launched various free initiatives, such as the UDAN Cafes for affordable food at airports, Flybrary for free access to books and free WiFi at airports.
FIA said that, the financial impact of the directive will be significant on the airlines which will compel them to recover the cost by increasing the fares. Airlines generally charge Rs 200 to Rs 2,100 for choosing seats, depending on various factors, including front rows and extra leg room.
