, India’s aviation regulator, the DGCA, officially notified a major overhaul of the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) regarding air ticket refunds.
The new rules, which aim to curb long-standing passenger grievances over high cancellation fees and refund delays, will come into force on March 26, 2026.
1. The 48-Hour “Look-In” Window
The most significant change is a new mandatory “cooling-off” period for travelers.
- The Rule: You can now cancel or amend your flight ticket without any additional penalty within 48 hours of booking.
- Condition 1: This only applies if you book directly through the airline’s official website.
- Condition 2: The departure date must be at least 7 days away for domestic flights and 15 days away for international flights at the time of booking.
- Fare Difference: While there is no cancellation fee, you must still pay any difference in the base fare if you are rescheduling to a different flight.
2. Strict Refund Timelines
The government has set “minimum benchmarks” for how quickly your money must return to you:
- Credit Card Payments: Refunds must be processed within 7 days.
- Cash Transactions: Refunds must be issued immediately at the airline office where the purchase was made.
- Travel Agents/Online Portals: The onus of refund now lies with the airline, not the agent. Airlines must ensure the refund is completed within 14 working days.
3. No-Fee Name Corrections
Airlines are now barred from charging for simple typos or name corrections.
- If you catch an error in the name of the traveler and point it out within 24 hours of booking, the airline must correct it free of charge.
- This applies to direct bookings made on the airline’s website.
4. Transparency & Taxes
- Statutory Tax Refunds: Even if you have a “non-refundable” promotional ticket, the airline must refund all taxes (User Development Fee, Airport Development Fee, etc.) in case of a cancellation or “no-show.”
- Capped Charges: Cancellation fees cannot exceed the basic fare + fuel surcharge. Any extra fees must be clearly disclosed at the time of booking.
- Credit Shells: Airlines can no longer force you to take a “credit shell” (a voucher for future travel) as a default. It is now your prerogative to choose between a voucher or a cash refund.
5. Medical Emergencies
The revised norms introduce flexibility for travelers who fall ill:
- If a passenger or a family member on the same PNR is hospitalized during the travel period, the airline may provide a full refund or a credit shell upon submission of medical proof.
- For other medical issues, a refund will be issued based on an opinion from a DGCA-empanelled aerospace medicine specialist.
