The DGCA, pursuant to directions issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on March 18, 2026, has introduced measures aimed at enhancing passenger experience and accessibility in line with the UDAN scheme. The directions require airlines to ensure that a minimum portion of seats on each flight are allocated without additional charge, enable passengers travelling on the same PNR to be seated together (preferably in adjacent seats), and adopt transparent policies for carriage of pets. Airlines are also required to facilitate the transport of sports equipment and musical instruments in a passenger-friendly manner, subject to safety and operational requirements, and ensure strict compliance with the passenger rights framework in cases of delays, cancellations and denied boarding.
The directions further mandate airlines to prominently display passenger rights across websites, mobile applications, booking platforms and airport counters, and to communicate passenger entitlements clearly, including in regional languages. While the measures have been positively received from a consumer protection standpoint, they may have operational and commercial implications for airlines, particularly in the context of rising aviation turbine fuel costs and existing margin pressures.
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