DGCA Revises Flight Refund Rules, Allows Free Changes Within 48 Hours

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has changed the rules on flight ticket refunds and cancellations. If you are a frequent traveller, this update matters. It gives passengers more flexibility, especially in the first two days after booking.

1. 48-Hour Free Cancellation After Booking

Here’s the big change. Air Passengers can now cancel or change their tickets within 48 hours of booking without paying extra charges.

This is called a “Look-in option.”

It gives travellers time to rethink plans, fix mistakes, or adjust dates without losing money. But there’s a catch. This new rule applies only if:

• The ticket is booked directly on the airline’s website.
• The flight departure is at least:
  • 7 days away for domestic flights.
  • 15 days away for international flights.

If your flight is sooner than that, this option won’t apply.

It is worth noting here that, after the 48-hour window closes, normal airline cancellation fees apply.

2. Name Corrections Within 24 Hours

Small spelling mistake in your name? Earlier, airlines often charged correction fees, even for minor typing errors. Now, airlines cannot charge extra for correcting the name of the same passenger if:

• The error is reported within 24 hours of booking.
• The ticket was booked directly on the airline’s website.

What Type of Name Corrections Are Allowed Under the New DGCA Rule?

Under the updated rules, only minor spelling corrections are allowed within 24 hours of booking if the ticket is booked directly on the airline’s website.

What is allowed:

• Small typing errors in the same passenger’s name
• One or two letters misplaced, missing, or added
• Example: “Rahul Sharma” typed as “Rhaul Sharma” or “Rahul Sharama”

What is not allowed:

• A completely different name
• Example: Changing “Rahul Sharma” to “Amit Sharma”

In short, small spelling mistakes can be corrected. A full name change is not permitted under this rule.

This is helpful because name mismatches can create airport problems during check-in.

3. Refund Responsibility Lies With Airlines

Many travellers book through travel portals or agents. In the past, refund disputes often bounced between airlines and agents. Passengers were stuck in the middle.

Now the DGCA has made it very clear: Even if you book through a travel agent or online portal, the airline is responsible for the refund.

Agents are treated as representatives of the airline. Airlines must complete refunds within 14 working days.

This small but important change brings more clarity and accountability.

4. Medical Emergency Cancellations

The DGCA has also revised the rules on ticket cancellations due to medical emergencies. While exact airline policies may vary, carriers have been instructed to handle such cases more responsibly and in line with updated guidelines.

For travellers, this means better support in case of a genuine emergency.

What Were the Earlier Rules?

Before this update:

• There was no mandatory 48-hour free cancellation window.
• Airlines could charge correction fees even for small name errors.
• Refund responsibility was often unclear when booking through agents.
• Passengers frequently waited longer for refunds.

In short, travellers had less protection.

How This Affects Travellers

More Flexibility: You now get two days to rethink your booking if the travel date is far enough away. This is especially useful for:

• Visa-dependent travel.
• Corporate bookings.
• Family trips where plans may shift.

Fewer Charges for Simple Mistakes: Minor name errors won’t automatically cost you money, as long as you act quickly.

Faster Refunds: The 14-working-day rule gives passengers a timeline. That’s important when you are waiting for a large refund.

What This Really Means for Frequent Flyers

If you are a frequent flyer and often book tickets early, this rule works in your favour. It reduces financial risk when booking in advance. You can lock in fares without immediate fear of penalty if plans change quickly.

However, if you book close to departure, the benefit may not apply. So timing matters.

Final Thoughts

The DGCA’s revised refund norms bring more balance between airlines and passengers.

They do not remove all cancellation fees. But they do give travellers a small but important safety net in the first 48 hours.

If you book directly with airlines and plan ahead, these changes can save you money and stress.

For regular flyers, that’s a meaningful shift.