DGCA introduces 48-hour free cancellation for air tickets

Airlines must provide this facility for tickets booked directly through their websites. Changes after the 48-hour window will be subject to normal cancellation or amendment fees.

Metro India News | new delhi

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has revised air ticket refund norms, allowing passengers to cancel or modify their bookings without any additional charges within 48 hours of purchase. The move is aimed at making air travel more passenger-friendly.

Under the new rules, the 48-hour option applies to domestic flights departing at least seven days after booking and international flights departing at least 15 days later. Airlines must provide this facility for tickets booked directly through their websites. Changes after the 48-hour window will be subject to normal cancellation or amendment fees.

The DGCA also stated that name corrections for tickets booked online will not attract any charges if reported within 24 hours. For bookings made through travel agents or portals, airlines remain responsible for refunds and must complete the process within 14 working days.

The revised norms cover medical emergencies as well. If a passenger or a family member on the same ticket is hospitalized during the travel period, airlines may offer either a refund or credit. In other cases, refunds will be processed after a fitness-to-travel certificate is provided by an authorized Aerospace Medicine specialist.

These amendments to the Civil Aviation Requirements were issued on February 24 following increasing complaints from passengers about delayed refunds. The issue gained attention during IndiGo flight disruptions in December 2025.

DGCA data shows that in December 2025, domestic airlines carried 1.43 crore passengers and received 29,212 complaints, with 7.5 percent related to refunds. India’s domestic aviation market is rapidly growing, with more than 16.69 crore passengers carried in 2025. The new rules aim to give passengers more flexibility and ensure timely refunds, improving overall customer service.