Air travelers can now cancel or modify their tickets without paying additional fees within 48 hours of booking, subject to certain conditions, after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) revised its refund rules.
Under the revised Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) on “Refund of Airline Tickets for Passengers of Public Transport Enterprises”, airlines were also prohibited from charging any additional fees to correct the name of the passenger, if the error was reported within 24 hours of booking and the ticket was purchased directly through the airline’s website.
“If a ticket is purchased through a travel agent/portal, the burden of refund falls on the airlines as the agents are their appointed representatives.
“Airlines must ensure that the refund process is completed within 14 working days,” the DGCA said. The revised CAR Act, issued on February 24, also introduced changes to the rules governing cancellation of tickets in the event of a medical emergency faced by passengers.The amendments come amid increasing passenger complaints about delays in refunding amounts paid. This issue also came into focus during the flight disruptions involving IndiGo in December 2025, when the Ministry of Civil Aviation directed the airline to complete pending refunds within a stipulated timeline.The latest changes aim to make the refund process more convenient for passengers and ensure accountability on the part of airlines.
