India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has updated its flight ticket refund and cancellation norms, giving air travellers a 48-hour “look-in” period after booking during which they can cancel or amend tickets without paying extra fees. This is part of revised Civil Aviation Requirements aimed at improving consumer protection and convenience.
Under the new rules, passengers can cancel or change their flight booking penalty-free within 48 hours of purchase — provided certain conditions are met — regardless of whether the ticket is for domestic or international travel.
Conditions and Eligibility
To qualify for this 48-hour free cancellation/ modification benefit:
- The departure date must be at least 7 days away for domestic flights and 15 days away for international flights from the booking date.
- The benefit applies only when tickets are booked directly through the airline’s official website.
- If a passenger rebooks under this window, they must pay any fare difference for the new flight chosen.
After the initial 48 hours, normal cancellation and modification charges apply as per the airline’s tariff rules.
Name Correction and Refund Timelines
The DGCA has also clarified additional passenger rights under the new norms:
- No extra charge for correcting a passenger’s name if the mistake is highlighted within 24 hours of booking on the airline’s website.
- Airlines must complete refunds within 14 working days for tickets cancelled under this policy. This applies even when bookings were made through travel agents, with the refund responsibility resting with the airline.
This refund timeline is intended to cut down on frequent complaints about delayed reimbursements for unused tickets.
When the Rules Come Into Effect
The revised ticket refund and cancellation norms — including the 48-hour “look-in” option — were issued by the DGCA on 24 February 2026 and will come into force from 26 March 2026.
What This Means for Passengers
For frequent flyers and leisure travellers alike, the new rules offer greater flexibility and peace of mind. Whether plans change unexpectedly or mistakes are made during booking, passengers now have a clear window in which to correct or cancel itineraries without financial penalties. The changes bring India closer to consumer-friendly practices already in place in other major aviation markets.
