New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced significant changes to flight ticket refund rules to protect air passengers and improve flexibility in air travel. The revised Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), issued on February 24, aim to reduce delays in refund processing and address passenger complaints.
Under the new regulations, passengers will be given a 48-hour “look-in option” after booking a ticket, during which they can cancel or modify their reservation without paying any additional charges. However, the benefit will be subject to certain conditions. If the passenger chooses a different flight and there is a fare difference, the additional amount will have to be paid.
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The facility will not apply if the domestic flight departure is scheduled within seven days of booking or if an international flight is scheduled within 15 days of booking when the ticket is purchased directly from the airline’s official website. After the 48-hour window, normal cancellation charges will apply according to the airline’s policy.
The DGCA has also relaxed rules regarding name corrections. If a passenger corrects spelling errors or similar passenger details within 24 hours of booking, airlines cannot charge any additional fee, provided the ticket was booked through the airline’s official website.
The regulator has further directed that if tickets are purchased through a travel agent or online portal, the airline will remain responsible for processing refunds since agents are considered authorised representatives of the airline. In such cases, airlines must complete the refund process within 14 working days.
New provisions have also been introduced for medical emergency situations. If the passenger or any family member listed under the same PNR is hospitalised during the travel period, the airline may offer a refund or credit shell facility. In other cases, refunds will be granted only after a travel fitness certification is provided by an airline- or DGCA-approved aerospace medicine specialist.
The rule changes follow repeated passenger complaints regarding delayed refunds. Notably, service disruptions during December 2025 involving IndiGo Airlines highlighted the issue of refund delays, prompting the civil aviation ministry to issue directives to ensure timely refund processing.
According to DGCA data, airlines received 29,212 passenger complaints in December 2025, of which around 7.5% were related to refunds. During the same month, domestic airlines carried more than 14.3 million passengers. In 2025, India’s domestic aviation sector served over 166.9 million passengers, reflecting rapid industry expansion.
Officials stated that the new regulations are a step toward making air travel more transparent and passenger-friendly. The government aims to reduce disputes related to refunds and ticket modifications while strengthening trust in aviation services.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
