DGCA Introduces 48-Hour Free Cancellation Window For Airline Tickets

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has amended its Civil Aviation Requirements governing ticket cancellations and refunds.

The regulator has introduced a 48-hour ‘look-in’ window that allows passengers to cancel or modify bookings without incurring penalties.

Under the revised framework, travellers may cancel or amend tickets within 48 hours of booking without paying additional charges.

If a passenger opts to shift to another flight, the fare differential, where applicable, must be settled.

Beyond the 48-hour threshold, standard cancellation levies will apply. The concession applies subject to specific timelines.

For domestic sectors, the scheduled departure must be at least seven days away. For international routes, the departure date must be no less than 15 days from booking. The benefit remains available exclusively for tickets purchased directly via an airline’s official website.

Implementation Timeline

The updated regulations were issued on 24 February and will take effect from 26 March 2026.

The regulator has also prescribed detailed norms on name corrections and reimbursement timelines.

Airlines may not impose any charge for rectifying the name of the same passenger if the error is reported within 24 hours of booking, provided the reservation was made directly on the airline’s website.

In instances where tickets are purchased through travel agents or digital intermediaries, airlines retain responsibility for processing refunds.

The DGCA has clarified that agents function as representatives of the carrier. Consequently, airlines must complete the refund process within 14 working days in such cases.

Revised timelines further stipulate that refunds for credit card payments must be processed within seven days.

Cash transactions executed at an airline’s office must be reimbursed immediately at the same location.

Importantly, carriers must refund all statutory taxes and passenger-related charges in cases of cancellations or no-shows. This obligation applies even where the base fare remains non-refundable.

The regulator’s move seeks to enhance consumer protection and standardise industry practices.

By tightening compliance norms and accelerating reimbursements, the DGCA aims to bolster transparency and restore passenger confidence in the aviation sector.

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