Delhi
💸 Free Cancellations Within 48 Hours! DGCA’s New Air Ticket Refund Rules Could Save Flyers ₹500–₹5,000 Per Ticket | DGCA Proposes ₹300–₹400 Crore Annual Savings for Passengers | No Fee for Name Correction Within 24 Hours
1. DGCA’s New Refund Norms – What’s Changing
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed major reforms in air ticket refund and cancellation rules.
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Aim: Enhance passenger rights and financial transparency in the aviation sector.
2. 48-Hour “Look-In” Window
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Free cancellations or amendments within 48 hours of booking.
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Applies to tickets booked directly on airline websites.
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Charges waived: No cancellation or amendment fee within this window.
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Condition:
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Domestic flights → Departure must be ≥ 5 days away.
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International flights → Departure must be ≥ 15 days away.
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| Flight Type | Minimum Gap for Free Cancellation | Fee During 48 Hrs |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 5 days before departure | ₹0 (Free) |
| International | 15 days before departure | ₹0 (Free) |
3. Post-48-Hour Policy
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After 48 hours of booking, standard cancellation fees apply.
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Passengers to bear regular amendment or cancellation charges.
4. Refunds via Agents – Airline’s Responsibility
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For tickets booked via travel agents or portals, the onus of refund lies with the airline.
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Agents are deemed representatives of the airline.
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Refunds must be completed within 21 working days.
| Refund Channel | Responsible Party | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Website | Airline | Within 21 working days |
| Travel Agent / Portal | Airline | Within 21 working days |
5. Correction in Passenger Name – No Extra Charge
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No additional fee for name correction if reported within 24 hours of booking.
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Applies to tickets booked directly through airline websites.
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Reduces passenger loss of ₹250–₹1,000 per correction.
6. Refunds for Medical Emergencies
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Airlines may provide full refunds or credit shells if cancellation occurs due to medical emergencies.
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Move expected to improve customer trust and loyalty.
7. Financial Impact on Flyers
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Potential Savings per Passenger: ₹500–₹5,000 per cancellation.
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Faster Refund Cycle: 21 days vs current 30+ days average.
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Industry-wide relief: Estimated ₹300–₹400 crore annually could be saved by passengers if rules are implemented.
| Aspect | Current Average | Proposed | Financial Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancellation Fee | ₹1,000–₹5,000 | ₹0 (within 48 hrs) | ₹1,000–₹5,000 savings |
| Refund Timeline | 30–45 days | 21 days | Faster refund |
| Name Correction Fee | ₹250–₹1,000 | ₹0 (within 24 hrs) | ₹250–₹1,000 savings |
8. Stakeholder Feedback Deadline
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Public comments invited till: November 30, 2025.
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Stakeholders: Airlines, portals, and passengers.
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DGCA will finalize the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) after review.
9. Why This Matters
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Boosts financial accountability of airlines.
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Enhances passenger confidence and consumer protection.
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Could reshape India’s ₹1.5 lakh crore aviation market.
Disclaimer – The Profit India
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Readers are advised to verify updates from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) before making travel or refund-related decisions.
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