By IANS,
New Delhi : Indian air carriers have stopped charging extra fees from passengers who opt for a particular seat, Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi informed parliament.
“It was observed that a few scheduled domestic airlines were charging on amount of Rs.50 to Rs.400 for seat assignment, which is over and above the fare charged by the airlines,” Ravi told the Lok Sabha last week during question hour.
The airlines stopped the practice after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) July 15 directed the carriers to withdraw such charges.
“Scheduled airlines viz. Air India Express, Spicejet, Go Air and IndiGo have withdrawn seat assignment charge as of July 29,” Ravi said.
Industry-wise, the seats are assigned on a first-cum-first-served basis. Frequent- traveller passengers are offered choices of selecting their seats through airlines’ membership programmes.
Various airlines in India practice seat assignments until 24 hours ahead of check-in without charging any fee.