Children below 12 must get a seat with their parents: DGCA tells airlines

Seats should be allocated with parents for children below 12, DGCA said

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked airlines to ensure children below the age of 12 are seated with their parents, the regulator said in a statement issued on April 23.

“Airlines shall ensure that children up to the age of 12 years are allocated seats with at least one of their parents/guardians, who are travelling on the same PNR and a record of the same shall be maintained,” the aviation watchdog said.

DGCA issued the advisory after several cases came into its notice where children were not seated with their parents.

Additionally, the regulator has also allowed charges for services such as zero baggage, preferential seating, meals, drinks, carriage of musical instruments, the statement said.

"Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has revised the Air Transport Circular (ATC)-01 of 2024 titled, "Unbundle of Services and fees by scheduled airlines" as per which, some services like Zero Baggage , Preferential seating, Meals / Snack/ Drink charges, charges for carriage of Musical Instruments etc. have been allowed," it said.

However, DGCA also clarified that these services are on 'opt-in' basis and not mandatory. "There is also a provision for auto seat assignment to the
passengers who have not selected any seat for web check-in before scheduled departure," the regulator said.