New Delhi:
In a move aimed at enhancing passenger convenience, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a new directive requiring airlines to allocate seats to children under 12 years of age traveling with their parents or guardians.
This ruling ensures that families traveling together will have the assurance of sitting together on the same PNR (Passenger Name Record),
alleviating concerns of separation during flights.
Implementation and Record Maintenance:
Under the DGCA order, airlines are obligated to assign seats to children accompanying their parents on the same PNR.
Moreover, airlines must maintain records of passengers traveling together to ensure compliance with the directive.
This initiative seeks to address previous instances where children under 12 were not seated with their families,
enhancing the overall travel experience for families.
Regulatory Focus on Passenger Comfort:
DGCA’s proactive approach to enhancing passenger experience in air travel is evident through such directives.
By ensuring children are seated with their parents or guardians, the regulatory body aims to mitigate any inconvenience caused to families during flights.
While airlines may levy charges for additional services such as baggage,
the allocation of seats for children will not incur extra fees, as specified in the circular issued by DGCA.
Ensuring Seat Equivalence:
To uphold fairness and equality in seating arrangements,
airlines are instructed not to impose additional charges for child seats.
If parents opt for free seating or automatic allocation, airlines must arrange equivalent seats for accompanying children.
This ruling underscores DGCA’s commitment to promoting family-friendly travel practices across the aviation sector.
