DGCA eases ticket refund rules

New Delhi: Passenger scan now cancel or amend air tickets without paying any additional charge within 48 hours of booking, subject to certain conditions, after aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) revised the air ticket refund norms for airlines.

The facility will not apply to domestic flight bookings where the departure date is less than seven days, and for international bookings where the departure date is less than 15 days from the booking date. The revised norms form part of amendments to the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) for Refund of Airline Tickets to Passengers of Public Transport Undertakings, issued on February 24.

DGCA has asked airlines to provide a ‘look-in option’ for 48 hours after ticket booking. During this period, passengers can cancel or amend tickets without any additional charges, except for the normal prevailing fare applicable to the revised flight. Beyond this 48-hour window, standard cancellation or amendment fees will apply.

In another significant passenger-friendly move, DGCA said airlines should not levy any additional charge for correction in the name of the same passenger if the error is pointed out within 24 hours of booking, provided the ticket is booked directly through the airline’s website. For tickets purchased through travel agents or online portals, DGCA clarified that the onus of refund lies with the airline, as agents act as their authorised representatives. Airlines have been directed to ensure that the refund process is completed within 14 working days.

The regulator has also revised norms relating to ticket cancellations due to medical emergencies. If a passenger or a family member listed on the same PNR is hospitalised during the travel period, airlines may provide either a refund or a credit shell. In other cases, refunds will be processed after receiving a fitness-to-travel opinion from an airline’s aerospace medicine specialist or a DGCA-empanelled specialist.

The amendments come amid rising passenger complaints over delayed refunds. The issue had gained prominence during the December 2025 flight disruptions involving IndiGo, following which the civil aviation ministry directed the airline to clear refunds within a specified timeline.