Imagine booking a flight, then doing a double-take at your screen: “Hey, what if I cancel?” Well, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) may soon let you do exactly that, with fewer nasty surprises. The regulator has floated a draft of new airline refund rules that could radically change how cancellation works in India. Scroll through everything you need to know before you secure cheap flight ticket bookings online!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Did the DGCA Propose?
Image credit: Unsplash/SRTgraphy
At the heart of it is a proposed 48-hour “look-in” option. For two full days after you book a ticket, you’d be able to cancel or change your flight without incurring any penalty, as long as the only cost is any fare difference on the revised one. This window only applies when the flight is booked at least five days ahead for domestic trips, or 15 days ahead for international travel.
Why this change? Because flyers are fed up. The DGCA has received a ton of complaints over slow refunds, partial refunds, and airlines pushing credit shells instead of real money. The draft Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) aims to set minimum standards so that airline refund rules are fairer and more predictable.
Are you ready to take on the vacation of your lifetime? Secure the best hotel bookings online, and your all-inclusive holiday tour packages are flexible enough for cancellations!
Explore: Do You Have to Recheck Baggage for Every Connecting Flight?
Additional Changes That Will Make Your Trip a 10/10
Image credit: Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema
Refund timelines
If you paid by credit card, airlines must refund you within 7 days. If you paid cash, the refund should be instant, right at the airline’s office. And if you booked through a travel agent or portal, the airline remains responsible and must issue your refund within 21 working days.
Taxes & fees
All statutory taxes, including things like UDF (User Development Fee), ADF (Airport Development Fee), and PSF (Passenger Service Fee), would be refunded even on promo or so-called “non-refundable” fares.
Cancellation Charges Cap
Airlines won’t be able to charge more than basic fare + fuel surcharge. None of those secret additional fees.
Credit Shell vs Cash
You decide. If an airline offers a credit shell (future-flight voucher), it can’t force you into it.
Name correction
Spelled your name wrong? If you tell the airline within 24 hours of booking (directly on their website), you shouldn’t be charged extra.
Medical Emergency Cancellations
If you cancel due to a genuine medical emergency, airlines must offer either a full refund or a credit shell, whatever you prefer.
Discover: Making these Mistakes with Boarding Passes Leads to Serious Trouble.
Why This Matters for a Traveller
For people who book flights and then panic (“Was that really the right date?”), This could be a major win, offering more flexibility, more choices, and fewer nasty surprises. For frequent flyers, it forces airlines to be transparent about cancellation charges, so you don’t feel cheated when you cancel. And for refunds, especially for tickets bought via agents, the proposed flight refund policy gives you clear timelines and accountability.
The DGCA is accepting public feedback on these new airline refund rules until November 30, 2025. After that, there’ll be a final decision, and if these changes hold, air travel in India could just get a little more passenger-friendly. Keep your feedback ready by applying for online visa services for 180+ countries to know more!
Summing Up
DGCA is proposing a traveller-first overhaul of airline refund rules, introducing a 48-hour “look-in” period for free flight cancellation, tighter refund timelines (7 days for credit cards, 21 working days via agents), and a cap on cancellation charges (basic fare + fuel surcharge). All statutory taxes would be refunded even on promotional fares, and passengers can choose between cash or credit shell. Public feedback is open until November 30, 2025.
FAQs: Airline Refund Rules
What is the new airline refund rule?
As per DGCA, the new airline refund rule allows passengers to get a full refund even if they cancel 48 hours after booking, depending on certain factors. Passengers will also receive a tax refund in full and enjoy a full refund without any hidden cancellation charges deduction.
Can I get a full refund if I cancel my flight?
Yes, as per the new DGCA rules, you can get a 100% refund if you cancel your booking 48 hours after paying. This only applies to domestic flights booked 5 days before departure and international flights booked 15 days before.
Can I get a 100% on flight cancellation?
Yes, you can get a 100% on flight cancellations if you follow the DGCA rules and the individual airline policy.
Also Read
- Top 9 Sneaky Airline Charges: Is It Really Low Cost or Hidden Cost?
- Ultimate Checklist for a Prospective Flyer: You Can’t Board Without This!
- Perfect Your Reporting Time at the Airport: Never Miss a Flight Again
Akbar Travels Services
Best Flight Deals
Mumbai to Delhi Flight Tickets | Mumbai to Bangalore Flight Tickets | Kolkata to Mumbai Flight Tickets | Kochi to Abu Dhabi Flight Tickets | Lucknow to Riyadh Flight Tickets | Delhi to Ahmedabad Flight Tickets
Domestic Flights
Pune to Bangalore Flights | Chennai to Delhi Flights | Bangalore to Chennai Flights | Mumbai to Delhi Flights | Bangalore to Hyderabad Flights | Ahmedabad to Goa Flights | Mumbai to Kolkata Flights | Hyderabad to Delhi Flights | Bangalore to Goa Flights | Mumbai to Goa Flights
International Flights
International Flights Booking | Delhi to Dubai Flights | Delhi to Bangkok Flights | Delhi to Toronto Flights | Mumbai to Dubai Flights | Delhi to Singapore Flights | Delhi to London Flights | Delhi to Kathmandu Flights | Mumbai to London Flights | Chennai to Singapore Flights | Mumbai to Singapore Flights | Delhi to New York Flights | Kolkata to Bangkok Flights
Best Hotel Deals
Hotels In Dubai | Hotels In Mumbai India | Hotels In Pune India | Hotels In Singapore | Hotels In Kochi India | Hotels In Munnar India | Hotels In Bangkok Thailand | Hotels In Kuala Lumpur Malaysia | Hotels In Mecca Saudi Arabia | Hotels In Mahabalipuram India
Apply Visa Online
Dubai Visa Online | 14 days Dubai Visa | 30 days Dubai Visa | 60 days Dubai Visa | Dubai Transit Visa | UAE Visa | Singapore Visa | Malaysia Visa | Thailand Visa | Sri Lanka Visa | US Visa | UK Visa | Schengen Visa | Canada Visa | Australia Visa | New Zealand Visa | France Visa | Italy Visa | Turkey Visa Online | Philippines Visa | Cambodia Visa Online | Vietnam Visa Online | Oman Visa
International Tour Packages
Dubai Tour Packages | Singapore Tour Packages | Thailand Tour Packages | Malaysia Tour Packages | Sri Lanka Tour Packages | US Tour Packages | United Kingdom Tour Packages | South Africa Tour Packages | Europe Tour Packages | Bali Tour Packages | Mauritius Tour Packages | Maldives Tour Packages | Cordelia Cruise Packages |
Domestic Tour Packages
India Tour Packages | Goa Tour Packages | Kerala Tour Packages | Leh Ladakh Tour Packages | Himachal Tour Packages | Andaman Tour Packages | Rajasthan Tour Packages | Uttarakhand Tour Packages | Jammu and Kashmir Tour Packages
Packages by Themes
Honeymoon Packages | Adventure Packages | Visa on Arrival Packages | Family Packages | Romantic Packages | Weekend Getaways Packages
One Comment