New Delhi — In a move that could bring major relief to air travellers, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed a reform allowing passengers to cancel or reschedule flight tickets for free within 48 hours of booking.
According to PTI, the aviation regulator’s proposal is part of a draft amendment to the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) related to ticket refunds. The suggested reform aims to address the long-standing issue of hefty cancellation and rescheduling charges faced by passengers when modifying travel plans after booking.
Under the proposed rule, airlines will be required to introduce a “look-in” option, which would remain valid for 48 hours from the time of booking. If a passenger cancels a ticket within this window, the airline must issue a full refund. Similarly, passengers can reschedule their flight without paying additional fees, apart from any difference in fare for the new flight.
The DGCA stated, “During this period, passengers can cancel or amend their tickets without incurring extra charges, except for the applicable fare difference for the revised booking.”
However, the regulator clarified that the provision will not apply to all bookings. The ‘look-in’ option will be inapplicable for:
- Domestic flights scheduled to depart within five days of booking.
- International flights departing within 15 days of booking.
After the 48-hour grace period, standard airline cancellation and rescheduling charges will apply as per existing norms.
The DGCA’s proposal seeks to make air travel more passenger-friendly and transparent, reducing the financial burden on flyers who are often charged high fees for last-minute changes. If approved, the reform is expected to enhance consumer protection and bring greater flexibility to India’s aviation sector.
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