Booking a flight and later needing to cancel often ends up costing a lot. Many passengers lose a big part of their ticket amount due to high cancellation or rescheduling fees. It’s a common frustration, especially when plans change unexpectedly.
What the DGCA has proposed
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has proposed a new rule that could change this. According to the draft proposal, passengers will be allowed to cancel or reschedule their flight tickets for free within 48 hours of booking.
The Conditions
To qualify for this free window:
- The booking must be made at least 5 days before departure for domestic flights.
- For international flights, the booking should be done at least 15 days before the travel date.
This means travellers will have a short “grace period” to change their minds without being penalised.
Why It Matters
If implemented, this rule could make air travel much more flexible. Passengers won’t have to worry about losing money if plans change soon after booking. It could also push airlines to be more transparent and customer-friendly with their pricing and policies.
Still a Draft
For now, the proposal is just a draft, and the DGCA has invited feedback before making it official. If approved, the rule will apply to all airlines operating in India.
What It Means for You
If this rule comes into effect, passengers will finally get a fairer deal on cancellations and rescheduling. Booking flights might no longer come with the fear of “non-refundable” losses, at least within the first 48 hours.
