India’s aviation sector continues its rapid ascent, now firmly established as the world’s third-largest domestic air travel market. With more than five lakh passengers flying daily, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is intensifying efforts to ensure that this growth is matched by a seamless, inclusive, and passenger-friendly travel experience.
At the heart of this transformation is a renewed focus on passenger facilitation. Building on the success of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme—which has democratized air travel by making it accessible to a broader segment of the population—the Ministry is rolling out a series of initiatives designed to enhance comfort, transparency, and fairness across the aviation ecosystem.
Among the notable steps are the introduction of UDAN Yatri Cafés, offering affordable food options at airports, and Flybrary, a unique initiative providing free access to books for travelers. Additionally, free Wi-Fi services at airports aim to improve connectivity and convenience for passengers.
In a significant move to standardize practices and protect passenger rights, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued new directives to airlines. A key mandate requires airlines to allocate at least 60% of seats free of charge, ensuring equitable access and preventing excessive monetization of seat selection.
Further emphasizing passenger comfort, airlines are now encouraged to seat travelers booked under the same PNR together, preferably in adjacent seats—a move particularly beneficial for families and groups.
The new guidelines also address long-standing concerns around the carriage of special items. Airlines must now adopt transparent and passenger-friendly policies for transporting sports equipment, musical instruments, and pets, while still adhering to safety and operational norms.
Passenger rights enforcement has also been strengthened. Airlines are required to strictly comply with regulations concerning delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. To improve awareness, passenger rights must be prominently displayed across airline websites, mobile apps, booking platforms, and airport counters.
Recognizing India’s linguistic diversity, the Ministry has also directed airlines to communicate passenger entitlements in regional languages, ensuring that information is accessible to a wider audience.
These measures reflect a broader commitment by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to reduce grievances, enhance transparency, and uphold the highest standards of safety and service.
As India’s skies grow busier, the government’s passenger-first approach signals a clear intent: to make air travel not just more accessible, but also more equitable and enjoyable for every citizen.
Source – PIB
Edited by Mantena Sasank
Last Updated on: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 11:46 am by Mantena Sasank | Published by: Mantena Sasank on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 11:21 am | News Categories: Delhi