DGCA Proposes New Rule Allowing Free Flight Ticket Cancellation Within 48 Hours of Booking

DGCA’s New Proposal Promises Greater Flexibility for Air Travelers

In a move aimed at improving transparency and passenger convenience, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed a new draft rule that could bring major relief to airline passengers across India. The proposed regulation would allow travelers to cancel or modify their flight tickets within 48 hours of booking—completely free of charge.

This initiative comes as a welcome change for those who often face sudden plan alterations or emergencies that force last-minute changes to their travel schedules.

Free Cancellations Within 48 Hours: Here’s What It Means

Under this proposed rule, passengers booking domestic or international flights will have a 48-hour window after ticket purchase to cancel or amend their booking without paying any additional fee. However, this benefit will apply only to tickets booked at least five days before departure for domestic flights and 15 days before departure for international flights.

This ensures that airlines have sufficient time to manage seat inventory while offering flexibility to passengers. Any cancellations or modifications made beyond these timelines will continue to attract standard airline charges.

Faster Refunds and Transparent Processes

The DGCA’s draft proposal also emphasizes faster and more transparent refund procedures. Airlines will be required to process refunds within seven days for bookings made through credit cards, while cash-based bookings must be refunded immediately.

Additionally, the new rule mandates that minor corrections—such as name spelling changes—must be allowed within 24 hours without any extra fee. This aims to eliminate unnecessary penalties passengers often face for small clerical errors.

The proposed regulation also covers medical emergencies, allowing travelers to claim a refund or request a credit shell in such cases, ensuring that compassionate exceptions are built into the system.

Which Flights Are Excluded from the Rule

While this policy is passenger-friendly, it will not apply universally. The free cancellation and modification window will not be available for:

• Domestic flight bookings made within five days of departure

• International flight bookings made within 15 days of departure

For such close-to-departure bookings, airlines may continue to levy the usual cancellation or modification fees as per their existing policies.

Step Toward Passenger-Centric Air Travel

The DGCA’s initiative reflects a significant step toward building a fairer and more reliable air travel ecosystem in India. It seeks to address long-standing concerns about refund delays, hidden charges, and limited flexibility in airline policies.

Passengers have frequently complained about steep cancellation fees and opaque refund timelines. By enforcing clear rules and timelines, DGCA aims to make air travel more transparent and consumer-friendly.

The civil aviation body has invited public comments and feedback on the draft proposal until November 30, 2025, after which the rule is expected to be finalized and implemented.

How Travelers Benefit

If implemented, this new rule would mark a major milestone for Indian air travelers. It will:

• Provide financial relief by eliminating hefty cancellation charges within the 48-hour window.

• Ensure quicker refunds, making the process more efficient.

• Enhance trust between passengers and airlines through consistent policies.

• Offer peace of mind for those whose travel plans may change unexpectedly.

Overall, this move will make India’s aviation sector more responsive to customer needs while promoting ethical and transparent airline practices.

With DGCA’s upcoming rule, passengers can look forward to a more flexible, affordable, and stress-free flying experience—a welcome shift in the skies.