The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) revised airline ticket rules, introducing a 48-hour “look-in” period allowing passengers to cancel or amend bookings without extra charges. Airlines must now also process refunds within 14 days and cannot levy fees for name corrections reported within 24 hours of booking.
The new rules aim to curb growing passenger grievances over delayed or partial refunds and arbitrary charges. Under the amended framework, domestic travelers can amend or cancel tickets within 48 hours if the flight is at least seven days away, while international passengers get the same for flights departing after 15 days.
Refunds must be completed within 14 working days, whether tickets were booked directly or via travel agents, who act as airline representatives. For cancellations due to medical emergencies involving the passenger or a family member, airlines can issue either a refund or credit shell after verification from DGCA-approved aerospace medicine specialists.
DGCA Chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai emphasized the regulator’s consumer-first approach, noting that “the issue of refund of tickets by airlines has become a major source of grievance among passengers.” The guidelines make clear that passengers are protected against hidden charges and delays, including prohibiting extra fees for name corrections within 24 hours of booking through the airline website.
Disclaimer: This news/ article includes information received via a syndicated news feed. The original rights remain with the respective publisher.
Picture Source :
