Now, there will be no flight ticket cancellation charges within 48 hours! DGCA's new proposal brings significant relief to passengers...

If you frequently travel by flight and have had to cancel a ticket, this news is a relief for you. Now, the hassle of paying hefty air ticket cancellation fees can be eliminated. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is working on a new rule that will allow passengers to cancel or change their tickets within 48 hours of booking without any charge.

Free cancellation or change facility within 48 hours
The DGCA has stated that after the new rule comes into effect, passengers will have a 48-hour look-in period after booking. During this time, if a passenger wishes to cancel their ticket or change their travel date, they will not be charged any additional fee. However, if the new ticket is at a higher fare, they will only have to pay the difference in fare.

However, this facility will not be available on flights whose travel date is within 5 days (domestic flights) or 15 days (international flights) of booking. This rule will not apply to tickets for such quick flights.

Bought a ticket through an agent or portal? Airlines will still provide a refund.

People often book tickets through MakeMyTrip, Yatra, or other travel agents, and refunds are delayed upon cancellation.

The DGCA's new proposal aims to address this issue. Now, even if you purchased your ticket through an agent or portal, the airline will be directly responsible for the refund.

The DGCA has clearly stated that agents or travel portals are authorized representatives of airlines, so if a ticket is cancelled, the responsibility for refunding the money will be on the airline company, not the agent.

Refund Completion Rule Within 21 Days
The DGCA has also directed airlines to complete the refund process within 21 working days after a ticket is cancelled. This means there will be no need to wait for months.

Refund or Credit Shell Option Even in a Medical Emergency
Under the new rule, if a passenger has to cancel their trip due to a medical emergency, airlines can either refund the full amount or offer a Credit Shell option that can be used later.

No Charges for Correcting Name Mistakes on Tickets
If a passenger makes a misspelling of their name while booking a ticket and informs the airline within 24 hours, they will not be charged any extra fee. This benefit is available if the ticket is booked directly from the airline's website.

When will the new rule come into effect?
The DGCA has released a draft CAR (Civil Aviation Requirement) for these changes and has sought suggestions from all stakeholders until November 30th. A final decision is expected by the end of this month. If implemented, this rule will be a significant boon for air travelers.

Why is this change necessary?
Passenger complaints about current ticket cancellation rules have been mounting for a long time. Refunds are often delayed for weeks, or the charges are so high that cancellation becomes a loss-making proposition. This new proposal from the DGCA will largely eliminate this problem and provide passengers with affordable, transparent, and stress-free travel.

If implemented, this change will make air travel easier and more customer-friendly than ever before. Minor mistakes like canceling a ticket or changing a name will no longer incur hefty charges. Passengers have been waiting for this relief for a long time.

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