In airlines, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has implemented amendments to enhance child seating arrangements. Now, DGCA makes it mandatory for the airlines to provide seats to children under the age of 12 near to at least one of the parents or guardians.
Also, airline companies are needed to maintain a record of these seating arrangements.
“Airlines shall ensure that children up to the age of 12 years are allocated seats with at least one of their parents/guardians, who are traveling on the same Passenger Name Record (PNR), and a record of the same shall be maintained,” said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in a press release.
The revised Air Transport Circular (ATC)-01 of 2024 is titled, “Unbundle of Services and Fees by scheduled airlines”. As per the circular, some services like Zero Baggage, Preferential seating, Meals/Snack/Drink charges, charges for carriage of musical Instruments, etc. have been allowed, said the release.
“Opt-in” basis by airlines
However, the circular clarified that “such unbundled services are provided on an “opt-in” basis by airlines”. They are not mandatory in nature. Also, there is a provision for auto seat assignment to the passengers who have not selected any seat for web check-in before scheduled departure.
In the field of Civil Aviation, the DGCA is the regulatory body and mainly deals with safety issues.