India Introduces Fee-Free Air Ticket Changes Within 48 Hours of Booking
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has introduced new guidelines regarding air ticket changes and cancellations. These amendments allow passengers to modify or cancel their tickets without incurring additional charges within 48 hours of booking. The changes aim to address rising complaints from passengers about refund delays.
Key Features of the New Ticket Refund Norms
- Passengers can cancel or amend tickets within 48 hours of booking without extra charges.
- No additional fees for name corrections if reported within 24 hours.
- Refund requests through travel agents are the airline’s responsibility; refunds must be processed in 14 working days.
- Medical emergencies allow for refunds or credit shells depending on circumstances.
Details on 48-Hour Change and Cancellation Policy
Passengers can utilize a ‘Look-in option’ for ticket amendments within the first 48 hours post-booking. However, this facility will not be available if the flight’s departure is less than:
- 7 days for domestic flights
- 15 days for international flights
After the 48-hour window, any changes will incur standard cancellation fees. These provisions are part of the amended Civil Aviation Requirements issued on February 24.
Handling Medical Emergencies
In the event of cancellations due to medical emergencies, such as hospitalization of the passenger or a family member listed on the same PNR, airlines may offer either a refund or a credit shell. For other cancellation scenarios, refunds will be contingent on the evaluation of fitness to travel by a qualified medical professional.
Background of the Changes
The revisions by the DGCA follow increased passenger complaints, particularly highlighted during flight disruptions faced by IndiGo in December 2025. In that month, airlines received over 29,000 complaints related to passenger issues, with 7.5% specifically addressing refund concerns. Despite the challenges, domestic carriers in 2025 transported more than 16.69 crore passengers, demonstrating India’s rapid growth in civil aviation.
Overall, these new regulations from DGCA are aimed at enhancing customer experience and streamlining the ticket refund process across India’s vibrant airline industry.
