India DGCA Mandates 60% Free Seats
Analysis based on 14 articles · First reported Mar 29, 2026 · Last updated Mar 30, 2026
The new India — Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India) directive requiring 60% free seat allocation is expected to negatively impact the revenues of airlines like IndiGo, India, and SpiceJet, potentially leading to increased airfares across the board. While beneficial for passengers, the financial strain on carriers could affect their profitability and investment outlook in India's aviation market.
The India — Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India) (DGCA) in India has issued new rules, effective April 20, mandating that airlines must offer at least 60% of seats on flights free of charge and maintain transparent seat allocation policies. This directive follows concerns raised by the civil aviation ministry regarding high seat selection fees. Currently, only about 20% of seats are free, with charges ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 2,100 for others. The new rules also encourage seating passengers on the same PNR in close proximity and require clear display of charges for optional services like sports equipment. Airlines, including IndiGo, India, and SpiceJet, represented by the Federation of Indian Pilots, have strongly objected to the decision, arguing it will significantly impact their revenues and could force them to increase overall airfares to compensate for lost income.
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