India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has announced a major change to airline ticketing rules that enhances passenger flexibility and financial protection when booking flights. The updated regulations, effective 26 March 2026, introduce a 48-hour free cancellation and amendment window along with stricter refund requirements for airlines — delivering a more traveller-friendly experience for domestic and international flyers.
✈️ What’s New for Air Travellers?
Under the revised rules, passengers who purchase an airline ticket will have a 48-hour “look-in option” — meaning they can cancel or modify their flight booking within two days of purchase without any additional fees. This gives flyers greater flexibility to adjust itineraries or correct booking mistakes shortly after purchase.
However, there are important conditions:
- The free cancellation/amendment benefit only applies if the departure date is at least 7 days away for domestic flights and 15 days away for international flights at the time of booking.
- If travellers change to a different flight under the 48-hour window, they will only pay any fare difference, but no extra penalty.
💰 Refund Timelines & Financial Protection
The new rules also tighten refund procedures:
- Airlines must refund all statutory taxes and passenger fees when a ticket is cancelled or a passenger is a no-show, even if the base fare is non-refundable.
- If a ticket was booked through a travel agent or online portal, the airline holds responsibility for issuing the refund — and must complete the refund process within 14 working days.
- Refunds for credit card transactions must be completed within about a week, while cash refunds should be given immediately at the point of purchase.
🪪 Name Correction Without Extra Cost
Another traveller-oriented update allows passengers to correct a person’s name on a ticket within 24 hours of booking without incurring any charge — provided the ticket was purchased directly from the airline’s official website.
🤕 Medical & Special Situations
The DGCA has also incorporated provisions for medical emergencies and other exceptional circumstances into the refund policy. Airlines may offer refunds or credit for future travel in cases where serious health events prevent the passenger or an accompanying family member from travelling.
📊 Why the Change?
These reforms come in the wake of growing passenger complaints about high cancellation fees and slow refund processing — an issue that was highlighted, for example, during flight disruptions in late 2025, where many travellers faced delays in refunds after widespread cancellations.
By formalising clearer timelines, free cancellation flexibility, and stronger consumer protections, the DGCA’s updated rules aim to make air travel more predictable, fair and convenient for flyers across India.