Implementing a passenger-first approach, the Indian Aviation sector is offering massive reliefs to Indian air travellers. As part of the sweeping overhaul, authorities announced on Wednesday that the Ministry of Civil Aviation is undertaking several passenger-centric initiatives to enhance ease of travel.
“Passenger facilitation remains the highest priority of the Ministry of Civil Aviation,” stated a news release issued by the Press Bureau of India (PBI) on March 18, 2026.
New initiatives that seek to strengthen passenger facilitation in Indian Aviation
As part of the new mandate enacted under the leadership of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), at least 60% of seats on any flight will be allocated free of charge to ensure fair access. Originally, the choosing the majority of seats on an airline cost an additional “selection fee” on top of the flight ticket charges. With the new mandate in place, authorities are scrapping the pre-existing seat selection fee norm for a minimum of 60% seats.
In a similar move about two years back, the DGCA responded to enraged passengers’ complaints about being seated apart from their families or groups if they didn’t pay extra by issuing a directive. “Airlines shall ensure that children upto the age of 12 years are allocated seats with at least one of their parents/guardians, who are travelling on the same PNR and record of the same shall be maintained,” its stated.
The new directions simply expand on it further, as now, passengers travelling on the same Passenger Name Record (PNR), who are usually the members of a family or people travelling as a group, will be seated together, preferably in adjacent seats, as per the new mandate.
Sports equipment and musical instruments’ carriage will be “facilitated in a transparent and passenger-friendly manner.” In a similar manner, airlines are also being compelled to put out clear and transparent policies for pet carriage.
The authorities have pushed for strict adherence to passenger right framework, especially in case of delays, cancellations and denied boarding.
Airlines will now be required to prominently display passenger rights across their websites, mobile applications, booking platforms and airport counters.
Moreover, the direction also sough to ensure clear communication of passenger entitlements in regional languages to promote wider accessibility and awareness.
While India consolidates its position as the third-largest domestic aviation market globally, Indian airports are today handling over five lakh passengers daily, according to the PIB release.
In its bid to retain that proud position, the ministry of Civil Aviation has already put several initiatives into motion, including UDAN Yatri Cafés for affordable food, free access to books through ‘Flybrary,’ and provision of free Wi-Fi at airports.