On 18 March 2026, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, issued fresh passenger-centric directions aimed at enhancing transparency, accessibility, and uniformity in airline practices across India. The directions mandate that at least 60% of seats be allocated free of charge and that passengers on the same PNR be seated together. Airlines are also required to adopt clear and transparent policies regarding baggage, including carriage of sports equipment, musical instruments, and pets, and to strictly comply with the passenger rights framework in cases of delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. Additionally, airlines must prominently display passenger rights across all platforms, including websites, mobile applications, booking portals, and airport counters, and communicate entitlements in regional languages to ensure wider accessibility. The directions reinforce a rights-based regulatory approach, aiming to curb arbitrary practices, enhance consumer protection, and improve overall passenger experience in India’s rapidly growing aviation sector.

Key Directions

1. At least 60% of seats must be allocated free of charge, and passengers on the same PNR should be seated together.
2. Airlines must ensure transparent policies for carriage of baggage, including sports equipment, musical instruments, and pets.
3. Strict compliance with the passenger rights framework in cases of delays, cancellations, and denied boarding.
4. Mandatory prominent display of passenger rights across airline websites, apps, booking platforms, and airport counters.
5. Passenger entitlements must be clearly communicated, including in regional languages, to enhance accessibility.

Legal Significance

These directions strengthen the consumer-protectionhere dimension of aviation regulation in India. They seek to curb arbitrary airline practices, improve disclosure standards, and make passenger rights more visible and enforceable. The insistence on free seat allocation and seating of passengers on the same PNR is especially significant, as it addresses recurring grievances relating to ancillary charges and family seating.

Conclusion

Overall, the directions reflect a stronger regulatory push toward fairness, transparency, and passenger dignity in civil aviation. While framed as administrative directions, they raise the compliance burden on airlines and reinforce the DGCA’s rights-based approach to passenger facilitation.

Source: PIB Delhi, Strengthening Passenger Facilitation in Indian Aviation, 18 March 2026.

Access the official notice here