Air travel is often perceived as a thrilling way to reach different destinations, but it can come with a hefty price tag. Often, travelers find themselves paying significantly for flight tickets, only to face additional fees for seat selections. However, this won’t be the case anymore! To further enhance the travel experience and ensure fairness across airlines, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued guidelines through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Read on for all the details.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is prioritizing passenger convenience by creating several initiatives aimed at making travel easier. Among these efforts are UDAN Yatri Cafés, which provide affordable dining options, Flybrary, offering complimentary access to reading materials, and free Wi-Fi available in airports. And now, the latest guidelines include:
- Allocating at least 60% of seats on flights at no extra charge to guarantee equitable access for all.
- Making sure that passengers on the same booking reference are seated together.
- Airlines also need to establish clear and transparent policies for transporting sports gear, musical instruments, and pets, adhering to safety regulations.
- Furthermore, they need to maintain a strict commitment to passenger rights, especially during delays, cancellations, or denied boarding situations.
- Airlines are also required to display passenger rights on airline websites, mobile apps, booking platforms, and at airport counters for easy access.
- Communicating passenger rights in regional languages to broaden understanding and accessibility.
The Ministry’s ongoing dedication to improving the air travel experience aims to increase transparency and minimize complaints while maintaining a strong focus on passenger safety.
In fact, as per the reports, Indian airports handle over five lakh passengers daily! These numbers strongly reflect the rapid growth of the sector.