Air Travel Update: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has put forward a new draft rule that allows passengers to cancel or change their tickets within 48 hours of booking without incurring any extra fees. This is a great relief for those who might need to adjust their travel plans at the last minute.
Transparency in refund process and rules
With this new proposal, airlines will have to speed up their refund processes. If you booked with a credit card, you’ll get your money back within seven days, while cash ticket refunds will be processed immediately. You can also correct names on tickets within 24 hours without any charges. Plus, if there’s a medical emergency, passengers will be eligible for a refund or a credit shell.
This rule will not apply to which flights
The free cancellation option won’t be available for domestic flights booked within 5 days, and for international flights, the cutoff is 15 days. Standard cancellation fees will kick in for any cancellations made outside of these timeframes.
Increased relief for passengers
This proposed change aims to make air travel in India more transparent, convenient, and reliable for everyone. The DGCA is welcoming public feedback on this rule until November 30, 2025, after which it will be officially implemented.
These new regulations will help passengers avoid unnecessary fees and offer better convenience when it comes to ticket cancellations, ultimately enhancing the overall air travel experience.