In what comes as a major development, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has introduced new guidelines aiming at making air travel more transparent, affordable
and convenient. The directions, which have been issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), focus on reducing add-on costs and improving an overall flying experience. Here is everything you need to know about the recent updates. Free Seats And Fair Travel As per the new rule, at least 60% of seats on any flight will be allocated free of charge to ensure fair access. With this move, passengers will not have to pay the hefty amount for picking a seat of their choice. Bookings Under Same PNR With this new directive, if you and your partner or your family are on the same PNR, airlines are expected to seat you together automatically, reducing both cost and inconvenience. Meaning, you neither have to pay a hefty amount nor will you be seated away. Also Read: 'No More Casual Visits But Intentional Stops': Coffee Is Quietly Shaping The Way People Plan Trips About Sports, Music And Pets Airlines need to ensure clear and transparent policies for carrying sports equipment, musical instruments and pets. Meaning, all of it will not be transported in a transparent and passenger-friendly manner - subject to applicable safety and operational regulations. Cancellations And More Airlines now need to adhere strictly to the passenger rights framework, particularly in cases of delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. More About Passenger Rights Passenger rights will be prominently displayed across airline websites, mobile applications, booking platforms and even airport counters. Passenger Entitlements As per the new directives, passenger entitlements will be clearly communicated in regional languages. This is being done to ensure wider accessibility and awareness. Another change was the introduction of UDAN Yatri Cafes, where passengers can go for affordable food, Flybrary for free access to books and free Wi-Fi at airports. For many people, especially those travelling for honeymoons or special occasions, these changes come as a big relief as they can now save bucks and don't have to spend extra just to sit next to their partner.
