In a move aimed at enhancing passenger experience, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has drafted new rules allowing air passengers to cancel or amend tickets without extra charges within 48 hours of booking and mandating faster refunds. The DGCA is expected to hold a three-day review meeting with airline executives starting Tuesday, November 4. Stakeholders have been asked by the DGCA to share their feedback on the draft CAR until November 30.

The proposed norms are detailed in a draft Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR). The new rules seek to make refunds faster, fairer, and more transparent for passengers. “During this period, passengers can cancel or amend the ticket without any additional charges, except for the normal prevailing fare for the revised flight for which the ticket is sought to be amended,” the draft stated.

“Beyond 48 hours of initial booking time, this option is not available and the passenger has to pay the relevant cancellation fees for amendment,” the CAR added.

List of new DGCA Rules

1. DGCA’s draft Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) mentions several traveller-centric measures designed to improve passenger experience and ensure timely refunds.
2. Passengers booking tickets directly through airline websites will have a 48-hour extra period to cancel or modify their tickets. There won’t be any additional charges, except for fare differences when changing flights.
3. It states that airlines cannot levy extra charges for a passengers’ name correction, if the error is reported within 24 hours of booking. This implies for booking done through airline’s website. “
4. The new rules allow travellers to fix spelling mistakes in their names within 24 hours of booking without any penalty.
5. Even if tickets are booked through travel agents or online portals, the airlines will be responsible for processing refunds.
6. It instructs all refunds to be completed within 21 working days. This comes as a major relief for passengers from the prolonged delays.
7. In cases of flight cancellations due to medical emergencies, airlines may offer full refunds or credit shells, allowing flexibility and empathy toward passengers.

Who will Benefit?

The move is expected to benefit every flyer. However, the DGCA clarified that the 48-hour “look-in” window will not apply to tickets booked less than five days before a domestic flight or 15 days before an international flight. Notably, standard airline cancellation or modification charges will apply after 48-hour period ends.