India’s aviation sector is undergoing significant transformation as the government introduces new passenger-focused reforms while the investigation into last year’s Air India Boeing 787 crash continues.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has announced a series of measures aimed at improving convenience, transparency, and accessibility across India’s fast-growing aviation industry. The reforms come as Indian authorities prepare an interim; rather than final; report into the June 2025 Air India crash that killed 260 people.
Passenger Reforms
The new DGCA guidelines require airlines to allocate at least 60% of seats free of charge and ensure passengers travelling under the same booking are seated together where possible.
Airlines must also improve transparency regarding sports equipment, musical instruments, pets, delays, cancellations, and denied boarding compensation. Passenger rights are to be displayed clearly across websites, booking platforms, airport counters, and mobile applications, with greater communication in regional languages.
The ministry says the reforms are designed to improve fairness and reduce passenger grievances as India’s aviation market continues expanding rapidly. India is now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, with airports handling more than five lakh passengers daily.
Authorities have also introduced airport initiatives including affordable UDAN Yatri Cafes, free Wi-Fi services, and “Flybrary” reading spaces aimed at improving the travel experience.
Air India Crash Investigation
The reforms coincide with the ongoing investigation into the Air India Boeing 787 crash, the aviation industry’s deadliest disaster in a decade.
According to Reuters, Indian investigators are preparing a more detailed interim report ahead of the crash anniversary because the final investigation remains incomplete due to the complexity of the probe.
The preliminary report released last year revealed that the aircraft’s engine fuel switches flipped almost simultaneously shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad to London, starving the engines of fuel. Indian investigators stressed at the time that it was too early to draw definitive conclusions.
The inquiry has intensified focus on Boeing’s fuel switch systems following a separate Air India Dreamliner incident earlier this year involving concerns over switch stability during engine start procedures. Indian aviation officials are expected to travel to Seattle to observe Boeing’s testing of the systems.
Balancing Growth and Safety
India’s aviation expansion has become central to the country’s economic ambitions, driven by rising middle-class travel demand and major infrastructure growth. However, the Air India tragedy has reinforced the importance of strong oversight, safety standards, and public trust as the sector expands.
The government’s latest reforms signal an effort to improve passenger confidence while regulators continue investigating one of the most significant aviation disasters in recent years.
Written by:
*Dr Iqbal Survé
Past chairman of the BRICS Business Council and co-chairman of the BRICS Media Forum and the BRNN
*Cole Jackson
Director of International Relations, Sekunjalo Group Africa Holdings
**The Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL.
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