India has emerged as the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, driven by growing accessibility and connectivity under the UDAN scheme.

In line with this growth, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has introduced a set of new passenger-friendly guidelines through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). These measures aim to improve convenience, ensure transparency, and strengthen passenger rights across the aviation sector.

As part of the new directions, airlines have been instructed to allocate a minimum of 60% of seats on any flight free of charge to ensure fair access for passengers. The guidelines also highlight that passengers travelling on the same PNR should be seated together, preferably in adjacent seats, to improve travel comfort.

The Ministry has also addressed the carriage of special items such as sports equipment and musical instruments. Airlines are required to follow clear and transparent processes while handling such requests, in line with safety and operational regulations. Additionally, airlines must establish and communicate clear policies regarding the carriage of pets.

A strong focus has been placed on passenger rights, especially in cases of delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. Airlines are expected to strictly follow the existing passenger rights framework and ensure that passengers are well-informed.

To improve awareness, airlines must prominently display passenger rights across their websites, mobile applications, booking platforms, and airport counters. The guidelines also emphasise the importance of communicating passenger entitlements in regional languages to make the information more accessible to a wider audience.

With these measures, the Ministry of Civil Aviation aims to enhance the overall passenger experience, reduce grievances, and maintain high standards of safety and service across India’s aviation ecosystem.