New Delhi:
Weeks before it was supposed to come into effect, the Centre has put on hold its order making it mandatory for airlines to offer at least 60% of seats on flights without charge.
In a notification issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said it had reviewed its March order after representations were made by the Federation of Indian Airlines and Akasa Air. The airline body and Akasa highlighted “operational and commercial implications, including its potential impact on fare structures and consistency with the prevailing deregulated tariff regime,” the ministry said.
Based on these, the ministry said, the order on free seats – which would have been implemented starting April 20 – was being kept on hold.
Before the order, 20% of the seats could be booked for free, while the rest were paid. Seat selection cost anywhere between Rs 200 and Rs 2,100, depending on factors like the row they were in and the available leg room.
Airlines had objected to the 60% move, saying it would force them to hike airfares to recover lost revenues.
Operational costs for airlines have also risen because of the war in Iran, which has led to an increase in the price of aviation turbine fuel, or ATF.
The ministry clarified in Thursday’s notification, however, that its order on other passenger facilitation measures would continue to apply. These include transparency in seat allocation, co-seating of passengers on the same PNR, carriage of musical instruments, sports equipment and pets, and clear disclosure of charges.
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