Fliers' body slams DGCA for okaying unbundling of airline services

The air passengers' body has pulled up the aviation regulator over its move to allow unbundling (separating) of airline services, which is prompting airlines to levy additional charges on selection of seats, carrying of check-in baggage and other such services.

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had recently ordered unbundling of services. In 2013, airlines were allowed to charge for preferred seats but had later capped the number of seats the charge could be levied on at 25% of the capacity. After pleas from low-cost carriers and the Federation of Indian Airlines, the DGCA set up a committee to look into the issue, which led to the recent order of unbundling.

Air Passengers Association of India's (APAI) Sudhakar Reddy, in a communication addressed to DGCA chief M Sathiyayathy, said the decision was not taken by taking passengers into consideration. The move will lead to increase in airfares as airlines will keep levying extra charges on almost everything.

The reaction from APAI comes following drastic increase in cancellation charges by airlines. This is apart from the fact that many more seats are now being offered for pre-selection.

However, DGCA officials and certain industry insiders claimed that the directive is likely to benefit passengers as they can now enjoy lower fares. Passengers can choose premium services they do not mind paying for, rather than being compelled to pay higher fares that include unwanted services.