In a major relief for air travelers, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced groundbreaking changes to ticket booking rules. A new 48-hour grace period allows passengers to cancel or modify their bookings without any charges, provided it’s within this window after purchase.
The DGCA announced that travelers can freely cancel tickets or make changes during the first 48 hours post-booking at no extra cost. However, if switching to a different flight, passengers must cover any fare difference.
This facility applies exclusively to domestic flights booked at least seven days before departure and international flights with at least 15 days remaining. Beyond the 48-hour period, standard cancellation fees will apply as before.
Issued on February 24, these revised rules will come into effect from March 26, 2026. The regulator has also clarified guidelines on name corrections and refund timelines to enhance passenger convenience.
For tickets bought directly from airline websites, airlines cannot charge for name corrections if reported within 24 hours of booking. In cases involving travel agents or online portals, airlines bear full responsibility for refunds, treating agents as their representatives.
Airlines are now mandated to process such refunds within 14 working days. Credit card transactions must be refunded within seven days, while cash payments at airline counters require immediate reimbursement on-site.
Additionally, in cancellations or no-shows, all applicable taxes and passenger-related fees must be returned, even if the base fare is non-refundable. These measures aim to standardize practices and protect consumer rights across the aviation sector.
Travelers can now plan trips with greater flexibility, knowing they have a safety net for last-minute changes. This initiative is expected to boost confidence in domestic and international air travel amid rising demand.