The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — India’s aviation regulator — has announced new passenger‑friendly rules that will make flight bookings more flexible and less costly for travellers. These changes come after rising complaints about refund delays and strict cancellation penalties by airlines.

📌 What’s the New 48‑Hour Rule?

✔ From March 26, 2026, passengers can cancel or modify their flight tickets within 48 hours of booking without paying any additional fees — as long as they meet certain conditions.

✔ This includes cancellations and changes to:

• Flight date
• Flight schedule
• Seat changes (fare differences may still apply)

✔ The option applies only if the flight you booked is at least 7 days away for domestic trips and 15 days away for international travel from the date of booking.

🧑‍✈️ Key Highlights of the Rule

🕐 48‑Hour “Look‑In” Option

Passengers now get a 48‑hour window after booking — called the “look‑in option” — during which they can cancel or change tickets without any penalty or cancellation charges, apart from any fare difference when revising the itinerary.

🪪 Name Correction Within 24 Hours

If you notice a spelling mistake or name error on your ticket, airlines cannot charge you for correcting it if claimed within 24 hours of booking on the airline’s website.

💳 Refund Timeline Guaranteed

Airlines must process refunds within a set period:

• Within 14 working days if booked through an agent or online portal
• Airlines are responsible for refunds even if the ticket was booked via an agent (not just the portal)

🏥 Medical Emergency Flexibility

If you need to cancel your ticket due to a medical emergency — for you or a close family member listed on the same booking — airlines may offer:

• A refund, or
• A credit shell (voucher for future travel) valid for at least one year.

📊 Why These Changes Matter

✈️ More flexibility: Many travellers now book flights weeks in advance; having a 48‑hour free cancellation window helps if plans change soon after booking.

💸 Better consumer protection: Earlier, passengers were often forced to accept travel credit instead of money back — this rule lets you choose either.

⚖️ Fairer refunds: airlines must now process refunds on time and cannot offload responsibility onto travel agents.

📝 Important Conditions to Know

🔹 The 48‑hour free cancellation rule does not apply if:

• The departure date is less than 7 days away (domestic) when you cancel within 48 hours.
• The departure date is less than 15 days away (international).

🔹 Fare differences still apply if you change your ticket (e.g., a later flight costs more).

🔹 This rule is part of the updated Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) issued by DGCA on 24 february 2026.

🧠 Quick Example

Let’s say you book a flight on April 1 for a trip on May 15:
✔ If you cancel or change the ticket by before april 3, you won’t pay penalty fees.
✔ If the departure was on April 5, the 48‑hour free cancellation would not apply because the flight is within 7 days of booking.

🛫 Final Word

This regulatory change by the DGCA makes flight ticket booking more consumer‑friendly by offering a grace period of up to 48 hours for free cancellations and changes — protecting travellers from mistakes, sudden plans, and penalty fees.

 

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