DGCA Proposes 48-Hour Free Flight Cancellation Window
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed a major passenger-friendly rule: a 48-hour free cancellation window for all flight tickets booked in India. During this period, passengers can cancel or amend bookings without paying any extra charges.
Key Takeaways
- Free ticket cancellation & changes within 48 hours of booking
- No charges for name spelling corrections
- Faster refund timelines: 7 days for cards, immediate for cash
- Full refund of taxes and airport fees on cancellation
What the DGCA Proposal Includes
India’s aviation regulator wants airlines to implement a 48-hour “cooling-off” period after ticket purchase. This would allow travelers to change plans without financial penalty.
The facility won’t apply to flights departing within 5 days (domestic) or 15 days (international) from booking date, ensuring last-minute bookings remain excluded.
Other Passenger-Friendly Measures
Name Correction Charges Eliminated: Airlines cannot charge fees for correcting spelling mistakes in passenger names.
Faster Refunds: Credit card payments must be refunded within 7 days of cancellation, while cash payments require immediate refund at purchase point.
Agent Bookings: For tickets bought through agents, airlines must complete refunds within 21 working days since agents represent airlines.
Full Fee Refund: Airlines must refund all taxes, User Development Fee (UDF), Airport Development Fee (ADF), and Passenger Service Fee (PSF) in case of cancellation or no-show.
Background and Public Consultation
The draft proposal comes after the DGCA received numerous complaints about ticket charges and refund issues, including delayed refunds, partial refund amounts, and travel credits with limited validity.
The regulator has sought public feedback on the proposal until November 30 before finalizing the regulations.
