DGCA proposes full airfare refund for cancellations due to medical emergencies.Draft norms also make airlines liable for refunds via travel agents; stakeholder feedback invited till November 30

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed revised airfare refund norms requiring airlines to issue a full refund or credit note if a passenger cancels a flight due to a medical emergency, among several other changes. Govt Suggests Zero Cancellation Fees If Air Tickets Cancelled In 48 Hours in a move to address rising complaints from air travellers, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed sweeping changes to India’s air ticket refund policy. These guidelines are designed to offer passengers greater flexibility, financial relief, and transparency when cancelling or modifying bookings.

Public feedback on the draft rules will be accepted until November 30, after which a final policy will be No cancellation fee if air ticket is cancelled within 48 hours from booking – DGCA proposes rules for airlines Synopsis

The DGCA has proposed new guidelines for air ticket refunds, including a 48-hour ‘look-in’ window for penalty-free cancellations or amendments. Airlines will also face stricter timelines for refunds, caps on cancellation charges, and increased transparency regarding refund amounts and policies.

Amid the growing complaints of air travellers about airlines, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has prescribed many measures regarding the refund of airline tickets. One of the major proposals is to introduce a look-in window of 48 hours for cancellation or amendment of the ticket without any additional charges. The DGCA is accepting public opinions on the proposed guidelines until November 30, after which the final policy will be announced.

The proposed draft said, “A large number of complaints are regularly received which can broadly be divided into the following categories: (a) Delay in refund of unused tickets (b) The amount which is refunded by the airlines against cancelled tickets. (c) Policy of not to refund the ticket amount but to adjust against tickets to be purchased by the passenger for future travel in the same airline that too valid for a limited period of time.” It is now believed that the onus is on the government to establish some minimum benchmarks for refund policy in order to alleviate growing passenger unhappiness with the refund procedures used by some airlines, DGCA said.

This civil aviation requirements (CAR) prescribes minimum requirements for the refund of ticket purchased by persons/passengers with respect to air transport undertakings including scheduled domestic/non-scheduled operators/ foreign carriage operating from India.

What are DGCA’s key proposals for air ticket refund?

48-Hour ‘Look-In’ window

The DGCA proposed that airlines provide a “look-in option” for 48 hours after a passenger books a ticket. During this period, passengers can cancel or alter their tickets without incurring any additional fees, with the exception of the standard prevailing rate for the updated flight for which the ticket is being amended.

For which flights 48-Hour ‘Look-In’ window will not be applicable?

As per DGCA’ proposal, the facility of the 48-Hour ‘Look-In’ window is not applicable for flights departing within 5 days for domestic flights and 15 days for international flights from the booking date, when booked directly through the airline’s website. This option is not accessible beyond 48 hours from the initial booking time, and the passenger must pay the applicable cancellation fees for change.

Airlines shouldn’t charge anything from passenger for making correction in his name spelling

The proposal said that the airline should not levy any additional charge for correction in the name of the same person when the error is pointed out by the passenger within 24 hours of making the booking, when the ticket is booked directly through the airline website.

7-day refund policy for credit card payments and cash transactions

The proposal also said that in case of credit card payments, a refund shall be made by the airlines within seven days of the cancellation to the account of the credit card holder. In case of cash transactions, a refund shall be made immediately by the airline’s office from where the ticket was purchased.

Refund policy for tickets purchased through agent

In case the purchase of a ticket has been made through a travel agent/portal, the onus of the refund shall lie with the airlines as agents are their appointed representatives. The airlines shall ensure that the refund process is completed within 21 working days, the DGCA proposal said.

Full refund of taxes and fees in case of cancellation/non-utilisation of tickets

The proposal pointed out that the airlines should refund all statutory taxes and User Development Fee (UDF)/Airport Development Fee (ADF)/Passenger Service Fee (PSF) to the passengers in case of cancellation or non-utilisation of tickets or in case of no show. This provision will also be applicable for all types of fares offered, including promos or special fares and where the basic fare is non-refundable.

Passenger choice for credit shells
The option of holding the refund amount in a credit shell by the airlines will be the prerogative of the passenger and not a default practice of the airline, the DGCA proposal said.

Transparency in refund amounts
The DGCA proposal also focused on refund amounts, stating that the airlines should indicate in an unambiguous manner the amount of refund of money admissible on the cancellation of a ticket. The amount and its break-up may be indicated on the ticket itself or through a separate form used for the purpose, and the policy and amount of refund shall also be displayed by the airlines on their respective websites.

Display of cancellation charges

The airline must indicate cancellation charges prominently at the time of booking.

Cap on maximum cancellation charges

The DGCA proposal said, “Under no circumstances, the airline or its agent shall levy cancellation charge more than the basic fare plus fuel surcharge. This will exclude any charges levied by the travel agent, which have been fully disclosed at the time of booking. It shall be the responsibility of the airline to ensure this through their contracts with travel agents/portals.”

No additional refund processing fees

The airlines should not levy any additional charge to process the refund.

Foreign carrier refund compliance

Foreign airlines must follow refund rules of their home country while adhering to Indian CAR refund procedures.

Ticket refund because of medical emergency

The airlines may refund the tickets or provide a credit shell in case of ticket cancellations by passengers arising due to medical emergencies, the DGCA proposal said.

 48-Hour Free Cancellation Window

A key proposal is a 48-hour “look-in window” where passengers can cancel or modify bookings without penalties. This applies only when tickets are booked directly on airline websites and excludes: Domestic flights departing within 5 days

International flights departing within 15 days

After 48 hours, standard cancellation fees apply.

---

🧾 Faster & Fair Refunds

The DGCA aims to eliminate refund delays and unfair deductions:

• Credit card refunds within 7 days
• Cash bookings refunded immediately
• Agent bookings refunded within 21 working days
• Full refund of taxes & airport fees, even on non-refundable fares
• No extra fees for refund processing

Airlines must clearly display refund amounts and policies during booking.

---

🧍‍♂️ No Name-Correction Fee & Medical Flexibility

Passengers can correct spelling errors in their names within 24 hours of direct website booking — at no cost. Airlines may also issue refunds or credit shells for medical emergencies, offering compassionate flexibility for passengers in distress.

💳 Credit Shells & Transparency Rules

Credit shells will no longer be automatic. Passengers must choose whether to hold funds with the airline.
Cancellation charges cannot exceed the basic fare + fuel surcharge, and airlines must prominently display these fees.

Foreign carriers operating in India must follow their home-country rules while complying with Indian refund standards.

✍️ Final Word

The DGCA’s proposals mark a major step towards fairer, passenger-friendly air travel in India. If implemented, they will streamline refunds, prevent arbitrary deductions, and bring much-needed transparency—strengthening trust between airlines and flyers. Book a flight, change your mind? DGCA may allow free refund within 48 hours of booking

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has floated a draft regulation aimed at easing refund and cancellation rules, a long-standing pain point for air travellers.

DGCA has floated a draft regulation to ease cancellation rules

Flight change fees may soon become a thing of the past—if you act fast. India’s aviation regulator DGCA has proposed a major reform that would allow passengers to cancel or reschedule flight tickets for free within 48 hours of booking, PTI reported.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has floated a draft regulation aimed at easing refund and cancellation rules, a long-standing pain point for air travellers. Under the new proposal, passengers will be granted a 48-hour “look-in” window after booking, during which they can either cancel or amend their ticket without incurring hefty charges.

The full refund rule would apply across airlines, but with conditions. For domestic flights, the departure must be at least five days away from the time of booking. For international flights, the cut-off is 15 days. Beyond that, the standard cancellation fees kick in.

“During this period, passengers can cancel or amend the ticket without any additional charges, except for the normal prevailing fare for the revised flight,” the DGCA said in the draft Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) document.

Currently, most airlines and travel platforms offer flexible booking options—but only at a premium, and often limited to a single use. This new move could standardize passenger rights and remove the ambiguity surrounding refund eligibility.

The proposed reform is part of a broader revamp of ticket refund norms under the CAR framework. If implemented, it could compel airlines to build greater transparency into fare structures and reduce reliance on add-on services.

Passengers and consumer advocacy groups have long criticized the high costs of last-minute changes, often calling them “hidden penalties” for travellers. The DGCA’s move appears to address this issue head-on by institutionalizing a short but meaningful buffer for decision-making.

While the reform is still in the draft stage, its implementation would mark a significant shift in the way Indian flyers interact with airline ticketing systems. Good News for Air Passengers! Free Cancellation and Date Change in 48 Hours, Full Refund in 21 Days

The DGCA has proposed changes to air ticket cancellation and refund rules. Now, tickets can be cancelled or modified for free within 48 hours of booking. It will be up to the passengers whether to keep the refund in a credit shell.

Flight Cancellation Rule: Good news for air travellers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed significant changes to air ticket cancellation and refund rules. Now, there will be no extra charges for cancelling or changing the date of a ticket within 48 hours of booking. Additionally, passengers will have the option to keep their refund in the airline’s credit shell, rather than it being the default option.

Key Changes

• 48-hour ‘Look-in’ Period: Tickets can be cancelled or modified free of charge for up to 48 hours after booking.
• Domestic Flights: Booking at least 5 days before departure.
• International Flights: Booking at least 15 days before departure.
• Bookings made with shorter notice will be subject to existing cancellation charges.

Refund Rules

• Refunds for tickets purchased through travel agents/portals will also be the responsibility of the airlines.
• Full refunds will be processed within 21 working days.
• Credit Shell: Passengers can opt to keep their refund in a credit shell if they wish, but it will not be mandatory.

Why These Changes?

Passengers and consumer rights groups have long been calling high cancellation charges a ‘hidden penalty’. The DGCA has issued a draft amendment to the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR). Feedback has been sought until November 30. This proposal will apply to all airlines. Once implemented, the ticketing system will become easier and more transparent for Indian air travellers. It is currently in the draft stage, but relief is expected soon.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has put forward a draft proposal to mandate a “look-in” window where passengers can cancel or amend their flight tickets without extra charges within 48 hours of booking. 

But above all, the draft highlights a 48-hour “look-in” window that would allow passengers to cancel or modify their flight tickets within a couple of days of booking, free of charge. “During this period, passengers can cancel or amend the ticket without any additional charges, except for the normal prevailing fare for the revised flight for which the ticket is sought to be amended,” the DGCA stated.

The regulatory body welcomes public feedback on the new framework until 30 November, after which the policy will be implemented. Key details about the proposals Only tickets booked directly through the airline’s official website can utilise the 48-hour “look-in” period. However, the DGCA has suggested that “the onus of refund shall lie with the airlines as agents are their appointed representatives” if a ticket is purchased via a travel agent or online portal. If noted within 24 hours of booking, no charge will be levied for correcting spelling errors in passenger names. Apart from these, clear refund timelines have been set out: Credit card payments – to be refunded in seven days and credited directly to the cardholder’s account Cash transactions – to be refunded immediately at the point of purchase Travel agents and Online portals – to be refunded by the concerned airlines within 21 working days of booking Cancellation charges must be displayed at the time of booking and capped at the basic fare plus fuel surcharge. All taxes and fees must be refunded, including UDF, ADF, PSF, and even non-refundable or promotional charges. In the event of a medical emergency, airlines are required to provide either a full refund or a credit shell, depending on the passenger’s preference. From refund delays to partial refunds and limited-time credit shell adjustments, the DGCA has received a whopping amount of passenger complaints, which have only increased in recent times. With these new guidelines and India’s growing aviation market, the regulator aims to improve passenger trust and enhance the overall air travel experience. The regulatory body asserted, “The onus is on the government to establish some minimum benchmarks for refund policy in order to alleviate growing passenger unhappiness with the refund procedures used by some airlines.”

Current Status

The proposal is currently in the draft stage, and the DGCA sought comments and feedback from all stakeholders until November 30, 2025. The new rules are not yet implemented. No fee for air ticket cancellation within 48 hours, DGCA plans major revamp of refund norms

The DGCA added that airlines must complete the refund process within 21 working days.

No fee for air ticket cancellation within 48 hours, DGCA plans major revamp of refund norms. Air passengers may soon be able to cancel or change their tickets for free within 48 hours of booking, as the aviation regulator DGCA fines IndiGo Rs 20 lakh for pilot training lapses at category C airports

DGCA imposes Rs 20 lakh fine on IndiGo after review found 1,700 pilots trained on non-certified simulators for Category C airports like Leh, Calicut, and Kathmandu.

DGCA has fined InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of India’s largest airline IndiGo, Rs 20 lakh for lapses in pilot training at Category C airports has proposed major changes to ticket refund rules.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also said that if a ticket is bought through a travel agent or online portal, the “onus of refund shall lie with the airlines as agents are their appointed representatives.”