Ensure Kids Below 12 Years Get To Sit With At Least One Parent, DGCA Tells Airlines

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has made some changes to the Air Transport Circular (ATC) to ensure seamless travel.

It has asked all airlines to ensure that children under 12 years are given seats next to at least one of the parents, in case they share the same PNR.

“Airlines shall ensure that children up to the age of 12 years is 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,” DGCA said in an official statement.

DCGA took the move after witnessing various instances of children below the age of 12 years not being seated with their parent/guardian. “The existing Air Transport Circular 01 of 2021 has been suitably modified to incorporate the following provision to alleviate any such situation in the future”, the official statement added.

The DGCA has also shared the revised Air Transport Circular (ATC)-01 of 2024, which said “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 have been allowed. Such unbundled services are provided on “opt-in” basis by Airlines and are not mandatory in nature.”

In addition, the statement said, “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.”