The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has revised passenger-friendly norms that now allow travellers to cancel or modify tickets without paying extra charges within 48 hours of booking. The move comes after a rise in refund complaints, especially during the December 2025 IndiGo disruptions. These reforms fall under the amended Civil Aviation Requirements and are part of the latest DGCA revised guidelines.
48-Hour Look-In Option Explained
Under the DGCA new guidelines, airlines must provide a 48-hour “look-in” window after ticket booking. During this time, passengers can cancel or amend their tickets without additional charges. If they choose another flight, they must pay only the fare difference.
Airlines must also allow free correction of the passenger’s name within 24 hours of booking, provided the ticket was purchased directly from the airline’s website. This applies only to genuine spelling errors of the same person.
Refund Responsibility Clearly Defined
The DGCA revised guidelines clarify that airlines remain responsible for refunds even if tickets are booked through travel agents or online portals. Airlines cannot shift accountability to third parties.
Refunds must be completed within 14 working days. This measure directly addresses frequent complaints about delayed payments.
Medical Emergency Provisions
The DGCA revised guidelines also offer relief in medical emergencies. If a passenger or a family member listed on the same PNR is hospitalised during the travel period, airlines may issue either a refund or a credit shell.
In other medical cases, airlines will process refunds after receiving a fitness-to-travel opinion from an airline’s Aerospace Medicine specialist or a DGCA-empanelled expert.
Why The Rules Were Revised
Passenger complaints surged after large-scale disruptions involving IndiGo in December 2025. The civil aviation ministry directed airlines to clear pending refunds within a specified timeline.
With stricter refund timelines and a structured cancellation window, the DGCA new guidelines signal stronger consumer protection for air travellers.
FAQs
Q: What are the DGCA revised guidelines about?
A: The DGCA revised guidelines allow passengers to cancel or amend tickets within 48 hours of booking without extra charges, subject to fare difference.
Q: Do the DGCA revised guidelines apply to tickets booked through agents?
A: Yes. Airlines remain responsible for processing refunds even if the booking was made through a travel portal or agent.
Q: How soon must airlines issue refunds under DGCA revised guidelines?
A: Airlines must complete the refund process within 14 working days.
Q: Are medical emergencies covered under DGCA revised guidelines?
A: Yes. Airlines may offer refunds or credit shells if hospitalisation occurs during the travel period.
Comments are closed.