New Delhi | The government on Wednesday said airlines have been asked not to levy additional charges for 60 per cent of seats in domestic flights on passengers.

Besides, airlines have been asked to ensure that those travelling on the same PNR are seated together in a flight as part of the civil aviation ministry's efforts to strengthen passenger facilitation.

Announcing the steps on Wednesday, the ministry said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked airlines to make sure that at least 60 per cent of seats on any flight are allocated free of charge to ensure fair access.

At present, 20 per cent of the seats can be booked free of charge while the rest are paid, according to an airline official.

Generally, airlines charge Rs 200 to Rs 2,100 for choosing seats, depending on various factors, including front rows and extra leg room, a travel industry executive said.

"Passengers travelling on the same PNR are to be seated together, preferably in adjacent seats," the ministry said in a release.

These directions are applicable for domestic flights, an official said.

According to the release, carriage of sports equipment and musical instruments is to be facilitated in a transparent and passenger-friendly manner, subject to applicable safety and operational regulations.

Airlines have also been asked to "bring out clear, transparent policies for carriage of pets".

The ministry emphasised that there should be strict adherence to the passenger rights framework, particularly in cases of delays, cancellations and denied boarding.

There should be a prominent display of passenger rights across airline websites, mobile applications, booking platforms, and airport counters, as well as clear communication of passenger entitlements in regional languages to ensure wider accessibility and awareness, it added.

The ministry also mentioned that India has emerged as the third-largest domestic aviation market globally, with air travel becoming increasingly accessible and inclusive under the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN.

Indian airports handle over five lakh passengers daily, reflecting the rapid growth of the sector, it noted.

The steps come against the backdrop of rising concerns that airlines are levying high charges for various services, including for choosing seats.

Specific details related to the directives, such as the date from which the new norms will be applicable, were not available.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said important directions have been issued to further strengthen passenger facilitation measures.

"60 per cent seats free of charge, assured seating together for families, and clear, transparent norms for carriage of sports equipment, musical instruments & pets," he said.

He also said there will be stronger enforcement and visibility of passenger rights, including during delays and cancellations.