Core Viewpoint - The Jiangsu Provincial Consumer Rights Protection Committee has raised concerns about the excessive locking of premium seats by airlines, leading to a lack of transparency and unfair practices in the ticketing process [1][3][6] Group 1: Issues Identified - The report identified four main issues in the seat locking service: excessive locking of premium seats, disguised fees for unlocking, lack of transparency, and unfair contractual terms [1][3][4] - The average seat locking rate among the ten airlines surveyed ranges from 19.9% to 62.1%, with an average of 38.7% [1][3] - Specific routes, such as Spring Airlines' Nanjing to Lanzhou, have seat locking rates exceeding 60%, while some airlines like Juneyao Airlines have rates below 20% [3][4] Group 2: Consumer Rights and Regulatory Response - The Jiangsu Provincial Consumer Rights Protection Committee emphasized that consumers have the right to choose suitable seats as part of their basic service rights when purchasing tickets [6][8] - Airlines are required to address the excessive locking of seats and revise unfair contractual terms within 15 working days [1][8] - The upcoming revision of the Civil Aviation Law aims to clarify the obligations of transportation companies regarding consumer rights, although it does not specifically address seat locking practices [7] Group 3: Industry Trends and Financial Implications - Ancillary revenue from paid seat selection has become a significant income source for airlines, with global ancillary revenue expected to exceed $148 billion in 2024 [5] - Traditional airlines are facing pressure from increased passenger traffic but declining ticket prices, leading to a 5.3% growth in ancillary revenue to offset losses from discounted fares [5][9] - The differentiation in business models between low-cost and traditional airlines necessitates a careful balance between enhancing passenger experience and generating ancillary revenue [9]