Airlines Warned Not To Sell Seats

Monday, 27th May 2013 at 08:44am

Indian airlines were warned by the aviation ministry against charging passengers for the seats they want to take on a flight.

The ministry issued the warning on Friday, May 17, after they learned that IndiGo was charging its passengers for every single seat on Airbus 320 plane. The government earlier allowed airlines to charge their passengers a premium fee for every premium product or service they offer on board.

However, recently, aviation secretary KN Shrivastava clarified that airlines should not put a price tag on all their seats as they are not considered premium service. He said that they could charge a premium fee for certain seats on each flight and clearly identify them so that the passengers will not get burdened paying extra for any seat that they choose.

During a meeting with top airline officials, he told them to furnish his office with a report within ten days indicating their planes' premium seats and their corresponding fees.

The ministry learned the news about an airline putting a price tag on each seat through a news article on Indian Express a day earlier. The official said the practice was flawed and should be stopped.

On April 29, the government issued an announcement allowing airlines to charge their passengers for products and services considered premium. They include preferential seats, meals and beverages, usage of lounge, check-in baggage, sports equipment, musical instrument and anything of great value.

Just a few days after the announcement IndiGo began charging its passengers for any seats chosen other than those pre-assigned to them. Jet Airways, on the other hand, followed suit, also charging a fee for any seat selected by the passenger in addition to reduced baggage allowance on short-haul international routes. Air India similarly reduced its free baggage allowance.

The ministry also extended its deadline imposed on local airlines by three years more with regards to reduction in the hiring of foreign pilots. The government expects that by 2016, no more local airlines should employ foreign pilots.

The goal is to give more job opportunities to local licensed pilots in India, according to Minister Shrivastava.

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