“Take-off with Peace of Mind: DGCA’s 48-Hour Free Cancellation Winds Across Indian Skies”

Introduction

It is a relief for both frequent flyers and one-time travellers that a new air travel policy by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aviation regulatory body, has come into fold: the policy envisages travellers having a 48-hour period from the time of booking during which they can cancel or amend a ticket without the payment of any cancellation fees. Besides this, a refund processing speed will be the new yardstick for carrier performance, indicating a fresh chapter for passenger rights in India.

Why this matters

The industry in which airlines operate has always been the target of criticism due to very strict refund regulations and also because of the concealment of prices related to cancellation charges. Under the new proposal, the so-called “look-in option” empowers passengers with flexibility and helps restore trust. The moment this complex is being dealt with is, in fact, the most appropriate one considering this fiercely unstable travel sector where changing one’s plans even at the very last minute has become a general habit.

What the new rules propose

●The people who buy tickets directly from an airline through the Internet will be granted 48 hours to cancel or change their plans at no extra cost (although a price differential is to be borne by the person choosing a different flight).

●On their part, airlines have the obligation to effect refunds within no more than 21 working days accounting from the date of cancellation.

●If the purchase of a ticket is made through an agent or an online travel portal, then the airline is responsible for the refund, while agents are merely facilitators.

●If name changes on the ticket (for the same passenger) occur within 24 hours since the time of booking: there will be no extra charges when the modification is made directly on the airline website.

Important exceptions & conditions

The flight for which a free cancellation window of 48 hours is granted cannot take off in less than 5 days (domestic) or 15 days (international).

If one intends to cancel or change their booking beyond the free 48-hour window, they will have to bear the respective cancellation/amendment fees applicable.

Impact for travellers and airlines

The passengers will be less exposed to risk situations in which they make flight bookings, this being especially true during periods of instability. Booking, reviewing, deciding — within two days, free cancellation enables you to have some air. On the other hand, airlines might need to implement operational changes due to this, such as speeding up refund workflows, upgrading compliance systems, and enhancing booking communications. This increased transparency may improve customer trust and loyalty.

Next steps & timeline

The DGCA has shared the proposed regulatory draft with the public and is looking for feedback from stakeholders up to the 30th of November. After seeing the comments, the new standards could be officially put in place — and that is when you will be able to find “48-hour free cancellation” when booking directly via an airline website.

Conclusion

The Indian aviation sector is gearing up for more customer-friendly services. Thanks to the DGCA’s planned transformations, the freedom to reschedule without excessively paying for cancellations as well as the certainty of quick refund handling are among the main benefits air travellers will enjoy in the future. This is indeed a positive turn of events, which may set a new standard in favour of travellers all over the country across the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌board.