New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has introduced revised, passenger focused rules governing airline ticket cancellations, modifications, and refunds, aiming to simplify procedures and reduce delays faced by air travellers. The updated norms are designed to improve transparency and ensure quicker resolution of refund related grievances.
Under the revised framework, passengers will be allowed to cancel or change their air tickets without paying any additional charge within 48 hours of booking, provided certain conditions are met. This move offers greater flexibility to travellers who may need to revise plans shortly after making a reservation, a common concern highlighted by frequent flyers.
The regulator has also clarified long standing confusion around name corrections on tickets. For bookings made directly through an airline’s official website, passengers can request a correction in the name of the same traveller within 24 hours of booking without incurring any fee. This provision is expected to reduce disputes arising from minor spelling errors or typographical mistakes.
In cases where tickets are purchased through travel agents or online booking portals, the responsibility for processing refunds will rest with the airlines. The revised rules make it mandatory for carriers to ensure that refunds are completed within 14 working days, reinforcing accountability and eliminating delays that passengers often experience when dealing with intermediaries.
The new guidelines also introduce clearer provisions for ticket cancellations arising from medical emergencies. Airlines have been directed to handle such requests in a prompt and transparent manner, ensuring that genuine cases are addressed with sensitivity and fairness.
These amendments to the Civil Aviation Requirements on refunds come amid a growing number of passenger complaints related to delayed or denied refunds. The issue had previously drawn public attention during widespread flight disruptions involving IndiGo in December 2025, after which authorities had intervened to enforce timely refunds.
With the revised norms now in place, passengers can expect a more predictable and streamlined refund process. The DGCA’s move is seen as a significant step towards strengthening consumer rights in India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, while encouraging airlines to adopt more passenger friendly practices.
