Air travel just got a lot more flexible for passengers in India. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced new rules allowing travellers to cancel or change their flight bookings within 48 hours of purchase without paying any fees. This means if you book a ticket and quickly realise your plans have changed, you can cancel or modify it without worrying about losing money.
Previously, many airlines charged cancellation or change fees even for tickets cancelled soon after booking. Under the new regulation, all domestic airlines must honour this 48‑hour free window, giving passengers a fair chance to adjust their plans, especially if flights were booked in a hurry or prices changed shortly after purchase.
The DGCA has also introduced a clear refund timeline. Airlines are now required to process all refunds within 14 days, whether it’s a cancellation under the 48‑hour rule or other situations like flight delays, schedule changes, or airline-initiated cancellations. This ensures travellers don’t have to wait weeks to get their money back.
Industry experts say the move will make air travel less stressful and boost confidence among passengers, particularly during peak travel periods or when booking last-minute trips. Airlines are updating their systems to comply, and passengers are encouraged to check their airline’s policies and reach out to customer service if there’s any delay in refunds.
For travellers, this change means more control, transparency, and peace of mind. Whether it’s a sudden change in plans, an unexpected work commitment, or a better deal elsewhere, flyers now have the freedom to manage their bookings quickly and easily.