The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is in talks with the Aviation Ministry to finalise the number of preferred or privilege seats that an airline can charge separately, if booked in advance.
Almost all airlines had earlier decided to put a price-tag on almost all seats and this was not acceptable to the regulator, which is of the opinion that operators need not be allowed to put more than 10 percent seats under the 'privileged' category for which they can charge a slight premium.
Last month, the ministry had permitted airlines to unbundle services by which they can charge for preferential seats, meals, baggage in excess of 15 kg and carriage of sports equipment.
Following these instruction airlines including IndiGo, Air India Express directed travel agents and online booking websites to charge for window and aisle seats. Airlines are now charging anywhere between Rs. 200-Rs 1500 for seat reservation.
However, last week airlines withdrew charges for middle seats. Must Read: Airlines can charge preferred seats, check-in bags: Govt
The idea behind allowing airlines to unbundle services to eventually bring down base fares. as passengers would only be charged for the services they wanted. Tagging almost all seats as preferential may not be accepte3d by passengers as well.
Last week, the ministry called a meeting of airlines and asked carriers to limit such seats. Also Read: Ministry asks airlines to clarify unbundling of services
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