Parliament Question: Additional seat charges from passengers during online check-in

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 999 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9th February 2026 ADDITIONAL SEAT CHARGES FROM PASSENGERS ONLINE CHECK-IN 999. DR. BHIM SINGH Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether Government is aware that additional seat charges are being collected from passengers booked under the same PNR during online check-in; and (b) if so, the steps taken to prevent such unfair charges? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (b) : Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued Air Transport Circular (ATC)-01 of 2024 titled, "Unbundle of Services and fees by scheduled airlines" as per which, some services like preferential seating have been allowed to be unbundled and charged separately from the travellers. 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. ******