DELHI- India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has proposed new rules allowing passengers to cancel or modify their airline tickets within 48 hours of booking—without any extra charges.
The draft policy aims to make air travel more transparent and passenger-friendly, setting clear refund timelines and responsibilities for airlines and agents.
DGCA Proposes 48-Hour ‘Look-In’ Window
Under the proposed Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), passengers booking directly through an airline’s website—such as IndiGo (6E), Air India (AI), or SpiceJet (SG)—will soon be able to cancel or amend their tickets within 48 hours of purchase, without facing additional fees.
The only cost applicable during this period would be the fare difference if the passenger chooses a new flight.
This 48-hour ‘look-in option’ is designed to offer flexibility and reduce disputes over ticket cancellations or name corrections. However, it will not apply to flights departing within five days (for domestic routes) or 15 days (for international routes) from the booking date.
Beyond the 48-hour window, standard airline cancellation and amendment charges will apply.
Name Correction and Refund Responsibilities
The DGCA has also clarified that if a passenger spots a name error within 24 hours of booking—on tickets purchased directly from the airline’s website—the airline must correct it without levying any charge.
For tickets booked via travel agents or online portals, the onus of refund will rest with the airline itself, as agents are considered their appointed representatives. This ensures passengers do not face delays or confusion over refund responsibility.
Refund Timelines and Medical Cancellations
As part of the proposal, airlines will be required to complete the refund process within 21 working days.
Additionally, in cases of cancellations due to medical emergencies, airlines may either refund the ticket or offer a credit shell, providing passengers with more flexibility to reschedule travel.
The DGCA has invited public comments on the draft rules until November 30, after which the final policy will be issued.
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