India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has updated flight ticket refund and cancellation rules.
Under the new guidelines, passengers now have a 48-hour “look-in” period after booking during which they can cancel or modify their tickets without paying extra fees.
This change applies to both domestic and international flights booked directly through an airline’s official website and is part of broader efforts to improve consumer protection and convenience.
Conditions and How It Works
To take advantage of the 48-hour free cancellation or modification:
Domestic flights: Departure must be at least 7 days from the booking date.
International flights: Departure must be at least 15 days from the booking date.
Booking channel: Must be done via the airline’s official website.
Rebooking: Passengers must pay any fare difference if they choose a different flight.
After 48 hours, standard cancellation and modification charges apply according to the airline’s rules.
Name Corrections and Refund Timelines
The DGCA also clarified other passenger rights:
Name corrections: No extra charges if a mistake is reported within 24 hours of booking on the airline website.
Refunds: Airlines must complete refunds within 14 working days, even for tickets booked through travel agents.
The airline is responsible for ensuring timely reimbursements.
This aims to reduce complaints about delayed refunds for unused tickets.
When the Rules Take Effect
The updated ticket cancellation and refund rules, including the 48-hour window, were issued on 24 February 2026 and will come into force on 26 March 2026.
For passengers, this means greater flexibility and peace of mind.
Whether plans change suddenly or mistakes occur during booking, travellers now have a clear period to correct or cancel tickets without financial penalties, aligning India’s aviation practices with consumer-friendly standards seen in other countries.
