Good news for air travellers! The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is working on new rules that could make flight bookings more flexible.
Under the proposed policy, passengers may soon be able to cancel or modify their tickets within 48 hours of booking—without paying any extra charges.
These upcoming changes aim to protect passengers’ rights and make the refund process smoother and faster.
What the 48-Hour “Look-In” Option Means
According to the DGCA draft, airlines will have to provide a 48-hour “look-in” window after a ticket is booked.
During this time, passengers can either cancel their ticket or make changes—such as altering travel dates or flight times—without paying any cancellation or amendment fees.
However, this benefit won’t apply to:
Domestic flights scheduled to depart within 5 days of booking.
International flights scheduled to depart within 15 days of booking.
If the ticket is changed, passengers will only need to pay the fare difference for the new flight.
Once the 48-hour window ends, regular cancellation and change fees will apply.
Faster Refunds and Name Correction Rules
The DGCA also wants airlines to complete refunds within 21 working days—a move that could end the long waiting periods passengers often face.
Another passenger-friendly proposal allows travellers to correct name errors within 24 hours of booking without extra charges, but only if the ticket was booked directly on the airline’s website.
For emergencies such as sudden illness, airlines may offer either a refund or a credit shell, giving passengers more flexibility to reschedule travel plans later.
Why These Changes Matter
The DGCA’s proposals come after frequent complaints from passengers about high cancellation charges and delayed refunds.
The regulator is currently seeking feedback from the public and industry stakeholders until November 30.
If implemented, these rules could mark a big step toward making air travel in India more transparent and passenger-friendly.
