India's DGCA mandates 48-hour fee-free ticket cancellations and 24-hour free name corrections
Change
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation mandated fee-free cancellations or changes within 48 hours of booking and free same-person name corrections within 24 hours on direct bookings, required airlines to complete refunds within 14 working days even for agent-booked tickets, and excluded the 48-hour look-in for flights departing within seven days (domestic) or 15 days (international).
Why it matters
For cancellations tied to a medical emergency affecting the passenger or a family member listed on the same PNR, airlines may immediately issue a refund or provide a credit shell. For other medical-related cancellations, airlines must obtain an assessment from an airline Aerospace Medicine specialist or a DGCA-empanelled Aerospace Medicine specialist before issuing refunds.
Implications
- • Scheduled airlines must implement a 48-hour 'look-in' function on direct-booking channels that permits fee-free cancellations and amendments.
- • Scheduled airlines must complete refunds for tickets booked through travel agents or portals within 14 working days.
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