Passengers can now cancel or modify air tickets within 48 hours of booking without paying additional charges, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced on Thursday, revising airline ticket refund norms to make them more passenger-friendly.
The new norms apply provided the departure date for domestic flights is at least seven days away, and for international flights, at least 15 days from booking. Beyond this window, standard cancellation or amendment fees will apply.
The DGCA also directed airlines not to levy extra charges for correcting the name on a ticket if the error is pointed out by the passenger within 24 hours of booking, when tickets are purchased directly via the airline’s website. For bookings through travel agents or online portals, airlines remain responsible for processing refunds within 14 working days.
“During the 48-hour ‘look-in’ period, a passenger may cancel or amend the ticket without additional charges, except for the prevailing fare for the revised flight,” the regulator said in the revised Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) issued on February 24.
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The amendments also include provisions for cancellations due to medical emergencies. Passengers or their family members listed on the same PNR who are hospitalised during travel may be offered a refund or a credit shell. For other cases, refunds will be issued upon receipt of a fitness-to-travel certificate from an airline empanelled Aerospace Medicine specialist or DGCA-approved medical authority.
The DGCA cited passenger complaints over delayed refunds as a key reason for the revision. In December 2025, domestic airlines handled 1.43 crore passengers, with 7.5 per cent of 29,212 grievances relating to refunds. The watchdog’s intervention comes in the wake of disruptions by IndiGo flights in December 2025, when the civil aviation ministry directed the airline to adhere to a defined refund timeline.
India’s civil aviation market continues to expand rapidly, carrying over 16.69 crore domestic passengers in 2025. The DGCA’s updated regulations aim to enhance consumer protection and improve confidence in air travel, ensuring timely refunds and simpler ticket modifications.
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