Introduction to the Issue and Key Player
Claudia Rivera Vivanco, a federal deputy from the Morena party in Mexico, has proposed reforming the Ley de Aviación Civil to prevent airlines from charging extra fees for assigning adjacent seats when traveling with children aged 2 to 12. This initiative aims to ensure that minors always sit with their parents without additional costs.
Background and Rationale
Rivera Vivanco highlighted a growing concern in the aviation sector, where airlines have introduced policies of charging for seat selection, forcing parents to pay extraordinary fees—sometimes exceeding 600 pesos per seat—to avoid having their children aged 2 to 12 seated far apart in the cabin.
While acknowledging that low-cost air travel models have made air transport more accessible, Rivera Vivanco emphasized that this should not permit airline profitability to infringe upon passenger rights or the well-being of minors, who must remain under direct supervision from parents or guardians throughout the flight for safety reasons.
Proposed Changes and International Alignment
The proposed reform seeks to add a paragraph to Fraction II of Article 47 Bis in the Ley de Aviación Civil, explicitly stating that airlines must assign adjacent seats for minors under 12 years old together with an accompanying adult without any additional cost.
This measure aligns with international recommendations from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (OACI), as well as positioning Mexico at the forefront of consumer rights regulations. Successful examples can be found in the European Union, the United States, and other Latin American countries.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue being addressed? The issue is preventing airlines from charging extra fees for assigning adjacent seats to parents traveling with children aged 2 to 12.
- Who is proposing this change? Claudia Rivera Vivanco, a federal deputy from the Morena party in Mexico, is proposing this reform.
- What specific law is being targeted for change? The proposed reform aims to amend the Ley de Aviación Civil in Mexico.
- Why is this change necessary? To ensure that minors always sit with their parents without additional costs and to uphold passenger rights and children’s well-being during flights.
- How does this proposal align with international standards? The proposed changes align with recommendations from IATA and OACI, positioning Mexico as a leader in consumer rights regulations.
