Air travel refund norms: DGCA introduces 48 hour free cancellation window, tightens refund timelines for airlines – BusinessToday

In a transfer aimed toward strengthening passenger rights, aviation regulator Directorate Basic of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has revised ticket refund norms, introducing a 48-hour penalty-free cancellation and modification window for air travellers. The amended Civil Aviation Necessities (CAR), issued on February 24, search to make airline insurance policies extra clear and passenger-pleasant amid rising complaints over delayed refunds.

Look-in interval

Beneath the brand new framework, airlines should present a compulsory “look-in interval” of 48 hours from the time of reserving. Throughout this window, passengers can cancel or amend their tickets with out incurring extra cancellation or change charges. Nevertheless, if a passenger chooses to change to a special flight, the prevailing fare distinction will nonetheless apply.

The profit, nonetheless, comes with situations. The 48-hour flexibility won’t apply to tickets booked immediately on airline web sites if the scheduled departure is inside seven days for home flights or 15 days for worldwide flights from the date of reserving. After the 48-hour window lapses, normal airline cancellation and rescheduling prices will probably be relevant.

Charging additional charges

In one other key change, DGCA has barred airlines from charging additional charges for correcting a passenger’s identify — offered the error is reported inside 24 hours of reserving and the ticket was bought immediately from the airline’s web site. The transfer is predicted to deal with frequent complaints from passengers over minor identify discrepancies resulting in extra prices.

The regulator has additionally clarified accountability in circumstances the place tickets are booked through travel brokers or on-line portals. Even when bookings are made by means of third-celebration platforms, airlines will stay accountable for processing refunds, as brokers act as their authorised representatives. Airlines have been directed to finish the refund course of inside 14 working days.

Revised norms

The revised norms additionally present readability for cancellations because of medical emergencies. If a passenger or a member of the family listed on the identical PNR is hospitalised throughout the travel interval, airlines might supply both a full refund or difficulty a credit score shell for future travel. In different medical circumstances, refunds will probably be processed after a health evaluation by an airline-appointed or DGCA-empanelled aerospace drugs specialist.

The adjustments come in opposition to the backdrop of mounting grievances associated to refund delays. The problem gained prominence throughout flight disruptions involving IndiGo in December 2025, after which the civil aviation ministry instructed the airline to expedite pending refund claims.

DGCA information present that scheduled airlines obtained 29,212 passenger-associated complaints in December 2025 alone, with 7.5% linked to refund-related points. Throughout the identical month, home carriers transported over 1.43 crore passengers. For the total calendar yr 2025, Indian airlines carried greater than 16.69 crore passengers, reflecting the dimensions and development of the nation’s aviation sector.

With India rising as one of many quickest-rising aviation markets globally, the revised CAR seeks to steadiness operational realities with shopper safety. By formalising a brief cancellation window and tightening refund timelines, DGCA goals to boost transparency, enhance passenger confidence, and cut back friction in ticketing and submit-reserving processes.