The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced new rules for flight ticket refunds to address passenger grievances. The rules, effective from March 26, 2026, aim to provide a smoother experience for passengers.
One of the key changes is the introduction of a 48-hour 'look-in' window for passengers to cancel or amend their tickets without incurring additional charges. This window applies to domestic flights with a departure date more than 7 days from the booking date and international flights with a departure date more than 15 days from the booking date.
Another significant change is the requirement for airlines to indicate cancellation charges prominently at the time of booking. This will help passengers understand whether their ticket is refundable and the amount of cancellation charges they will incur.
The DGCA has also clarified that airlines cannot levy cancellation charges higher than the basic fare plus fuel surcharge. Additionally, airlines must refund all statutory taxes, UDF, ADF, and PSF in the event of a ticket cancellation, non-utilization, or no-show.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also issued directions to airlines to make a higher percentage of seats available for selection without additional charges, seat family members together, and facilitate the carriage of sports equipment and musical instruments in a transparent and passenger-friendly manner.
The new rules and directions aim to enhance passenger experience, ensure transparency, reduce grievances, and uphold the highest standards of safety across the aviation ecosystem.
