The Ministry of Civil Aviation has put on hold its earlier directive requiring airlines to offer at least 60% of seats free for selection, following strong pushback from the aviation industry.
The policy, announced on March 18, had instructed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ensure that a majority of seats on every flight could be selected without any additional charges, aiming to improve passenger fairness and transparency.
However, airlines raised concerns over potential revenue losses and operational challenges, prompting the government to keep the rule “in abeyance” for now. The directive was originally set to come into effect from April 20.
Officials indicated that further consultations with stakeholders will take place before any final decision is made. The move highlights the balance regulators seek between passenger rights and airline financial sustainability.