Passengers now to get seat numbers

New Delhi, May 1 (UNI) The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has made it mandatory for all passenger transport aircraft operators to allot specific row and seat numbers to the passengers and indicate them on boarding passes so as to avoid confusion and ensure that the boarding was carried out in a smooth and orderly manner.

The DGCA has issued a Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) today under which it has been directed that specific seats will be allotted to all passengers at all stations. The row and seat numbers will be indicated on the boarding passes as it would ensure correct loading of aircraft and keeping the center of gravity of within limits at all times during flight.

The allocation of seat numbers will also facilitate quick head-count of passengers for tallying with passenger manifest entries as and when required. Furthermore, in the unlikely event of an aircraft accident or in the case of unlawful interference with the aircraft, the seat numbers allotted to individual passengers will assist follow-up action/investigation.

CAR has also directed that due care shall be exercised for allotting specific seats to handicapped or infirm/aged persons, who may not be able to operate emergency exit. Such persons should be embarked before normal passengers and disembarked at the end, stated CAR issued under provisions of Rule 133A of Aircraft Rules 1937 for compliance by all passengers transport aircraft operators.

With the allocation of row and seat numbers the approved personnel responsible for loading of the aircraft should follow appropriate procedures which would ensure that the weight and balance of the aircraft and its center of gravity shall be within limits for all phases of light irrespective of the number of passengers.

Allotment of specific seat numbers will also help airline staff to properly position handicapped or physical infirm or aged passengers to convenient seats of ease of boarding, disembarkation or use of aircraft facilities etc.

UNI