DGCA: This information is helpful to you if you and your family frequently take flights. The airlines have received a fresh directive from the airline regulator, DGCA. Children up to the age of twelve must now have seats on the aircraft, per this ruling. The DGCA issued this directive with the passengers’ convenience in mind.
DGCA Directive to Airlines
Airlines were informed on Tuesday by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that children under the age of twelve must be seated next to at least one parent when checking in. Concerned about airlines charging extra for seat selection at online check-in, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh wrote to Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam on November 10 of last year.
He made note of the fact that providing free mandatory web check-in but charging for seat selection later on deceives customers and is considered a “unfair trade practice” under the 2019 Consumer Protection Act.
No Additional Charges for Children
In accordance with the DGCA circular, children under the age of 12 who travel with their parents must be accompanied by one guardian. The airline is not allowed to charge more for the seat. For additional baggage under the Opt In service, airlines may impose certain surcharges. Child seats cannot be required by airlines. A seat that is equivalent must be reserved for the youngster if the parents have chosen the free seat or auto allocation option.
“Such unbundled services are provided on an ‘opt-in’ basis by airlines and are not mandatory in nature. 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,” it noted.
“Airlines shall ensure that children up to the age of 12 years are allocated seats with at least one of their parents or guardians, who are travelling on the same PNR, and a record of the same shall be maintained,” the DGCA mentioned.
