The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced significant changes to flight ticket refund regulations to help passengers across the country. Announced on February 24, 2026, these new rules allow travelers to cancel or modify their tickets within 48 hours of booking without paying any extra penalty. This decision comes after a surge in passenger complaints regarding refunds and high cancellation charges.
What is the 48-hour ‘Look-in’ Period?
Under the revised Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), passengers can cancel or amend their tickets within 48 hours of booking without any cancellation fee. If a passenger chooses to change the flight, they only need to pay the fare difference between the old and new flight. However, this benefit is available only if the ticket is booked directly through the airline’s official website.
There are specific time gaps required between the booking date and the travel date to use this facility:
- Domestic Flights: The flight departure must be at least 7 days away from the booking time.
- International Flights: The flight departure must be at least 15 days away from the booking time.
Refund Timelines and Medical Emergency Rules
The regulator has also set strict timelines for processing refunds to ensure transparency. For credit card payments, airlines must process refunds within 7 days, while agent or portal bookings must be settled within 14 working days. Additionally, airlines must refund all statutory taxes like UDF and PSF even if the base fare is non-refundable.
For minor errors like spelling mistakes in names, corrections will be free within 24 hours of booking. In cases of medical emergencies where a passenger or immediate family member is hospitalized, airlines must provide a full refund or a credit shell for future travel. These rules will become effective from March 26, 2026.
