New Delhi: India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has introduced draft rules aimed at making the flight cancellation and refund process more transparent, efficient, and passenger-friendly. The proposed changes, part of a new Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), seek to strengthen air travellers’ rights and ensure greater accountability from airlines.
Under the new draft, passengers may soon benefit from a 48-hour window after booking a flight to cancel or modify tickets without any additional charges. The exemption will apply as long as the booking is made at least five days before departure for domestic flights and 15 days for international ones. The only additional cost during this period would arise if a passenger opts for a flight with a higher fare. After the 48-hour window, regular airline cancellation policies will take effect.
The DGCA has also proposed stricter timelines for refunds to prevent the long delays passengers often face. Airlines will be required to complete refunds within 21 working days, covering both cancelled and rescheduled flights. Even in cases where passengers cancel late or fail to board (no-shows), carriers must refund statutory taxes and airport charges. The draft further clarifies that airlines cannot levy fees for minor name corrections made within 24 hours of booking through their official website.
To promote fairness and accountability, the DGCA has stated that airlines will be directly responsible for refunds on tickets booked through travel agents. Additionally, in cases of medical emergencies, a credit shell option where ticket value can be used for a future flight can only be issued with the passenger’s explicit consent, not by default.
Once implemented, these measures are expected to simplify air travel procedures, curb hidden costs, and improve trust between airlines and passengers by ensuring faster, fairer, and more transparent refund practices.
