Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK : India’s aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation has introduced sweeping changes to flight ticket refund rules, ensuring greater transparency and financial protection for travellers. Under the revised policy, passengers who cancel their flight tickets within 48 hours of booking will now be entitled to a full refund without any additional charges, marking a major shift from earlier practices where hefty cancellation fees often reduced refund amounts substantially.

The new guidelines also offer relief in cases of name corrections. If a passenger requests a name modification within 24 hours of booking the ticket, airlines will no longer be permitted to levy extra charges for such corrections. This move is expected to benefit travellers who frequently encounter minor booking errors but previously had to bear significant penalties for rectification.

The refund policy applies universally irrespective of the booking platform. Whether a ticket is purchased directly from an airline’s official website, through a travel agent, or via an online travel portal, the refund must be processed and credited to the passenger within 14 days of cancellation. This uniform rule aims to eliminate ambiguity and ensure that airlines and intermediaries follow consistent standards in refund processing.

The regulator has outlined a specific exception. The full refund benefit will not apply if a domestic ticket is booked within seven days of the scheduled departure date through the airline’s website. Similarly, for international flights, tickets booked within 15 days of departure will not qualify for this refund protection. In such cases, existing airline cancellation policies may continue to apply.

The decision comes in the backdrop of growing complaints from passengers regarding excessive cancellation fees and delays in refund settlements. In recent months, operational disruptions at major carriers including IndiGo had left many travellers stranded and awaiting refunds. At that time, the regulator had directed airlines to ensure timely repayment to affected customers. The latest reform appears to be a structured follow up aimed at preventing similar grievances in the future.

Industry observers believe the move will enhance consumer confidence in air travel, especially as passenger traffic continues to grow rapidly across India. Over the years, travellers have often expressed frustration over opaque refund policies, complex fare rules and deductions that significantly reduced the amount returned after cancellation. By standardising the 48 hour window for free cancellation and mandating a strict 14 day refund timeline, the regulator seeks to strike a balance between airline operational interests and passenger rights.

Officials familiar with the development have indicated that the objective behind the new framework is to safeguard consumer interests, promote fairness between airlines and customers, and strengthen accountability within the aviation ecosystem. As competition intensifies in India’s aviation sector, such regulatory clarity is expected to create a more transparent and passenger friendly environment.

The revised DGCA norms signal a welcome shift towards greater financial security and ease of booking, reinforcing trust in India’s rapidly expanding aviation industry.