India Introduces 48-Hour Free Cancellation Window for Air Tickets

New Delhi: Air passengers in India will now be allowed to cancel or modify their flight tickets within 48 hours of booking without paying additional charges, following revised guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).The updated Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), released on February 24, introduce a mandatory “look-in” option for passengers booking tickets directly through airline websites. Under this provision, travellers can cancel or make changes to their tickets within 48 hours of purchase without incurring extra fees, provided certain conditions are met.The benefit applies only if the flight is scheduled to depart at least seven days after booking in the case of domestic travel, and at least 15 days later for international journeys. If the cancellation or modification request is made after the 48-hour window, standard airline charges will apply.In addition, the regulator has directed airlines not to levy extra fees for correcting passenger names if the mistake is reported within 24 hours of booking through direct online channels.The revised norms also clarify refund timelines. Airlines are required to process refunds within 14 working days, even if the ticket was booked through a travel agent or online travel portal. The airline remains responsible for ensuring the refund is completed within the stipulated timeframe.The DGCA has also updated provisions related to cancellations arising from medical emergencies, aiming to make policies more transparent and passenger-friendly.