India, March 18 -- Passengers with the same PNR number on their flight tickets will be seated next to each other, the government said in a release on Wednesday as it announced a slew of new guidelines for airlines to enhance passenger experience.

In a major relief for fliers, the government also directed all airlines to ensure that at least 60 per cent of seats on every flight are available for booking without any extra charge to passengers for fair access.

The ministry of civil aviation said in a press release that passenger facilitation remains its highest priority. It noted that India has emerged as the third-largest domestic aviation market globally, with air travel increasingly being accessible to individuals.

In line with its com...