Free flight cancellation? DGCA may allow refund within 48 hours of booking

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed a major reform allowing passengers to cancel or reschedule flight tickets for free within 48 hours of booking.

The aviation regulatory body’s draft regulation aims to ease refund and cancellation rules, a long-standing pain point for frequent air travellers. Under the new proposal, passengers will have a 48-hour ‘grace period’ after booking, allowing them to cancel or modify their tickets without facing substantial fees.

As per reports, the full refund rule would apply across airlines, but with conditions applied. For domestic flights, bookings must be made at least five days before departure, while international flights require a minimum of 15 days. After these periods, standard cancellation fees will apply.

A Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) document read, “During this period, passengers can cancel or amend the ticket without any additional charges, except for the normal prevailing fare for the revised flight.”

At present, most airlines and travel platforms provide flexible booking options—but usually at an added cost and often limited to one-time use. This new initiative could help standardise passenger rights and eliminate the uncertainty around refund eligibility.

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