Travellers could soon get option to refund, reschedule, cancel flight tickets

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Nov 4, 2025: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed a 48-hour window for travellers to refund, reschedule or cancel their flight tickets. The proposed measures, currently open for public feedback till November 30, are subject to final approval after comments are reviewed and considered.

The aviation body has described the main element of the proposal as a 48-hour "Look-in-option" that would give flyers the ability to revisit their booking decisions within a defined time frame after purchase.

It has invited comments from stakeholders and the public on potential amendments to Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 3, which governs the rescheduling, cancellation, and refund norms for customers and passengers.

This proposal is aimed at providing greater flexibility and control to passengers soon after ticket purchase.

However, the proposal specifies certain flights would be excluded from this option, including domestic flights with departures scheduled within five days and international flights departing within fifteen days of booking.

"The proposal is not meant for domestic flights whose departure is scheduled in less than five days and international flights in less than 15 days," the DGCA said, adding that the limitation aims to balance operational needs for airlines with consumer flexibility, particularly during periods of high or urgent demand.

A significant aspect of the proposal concerns the handling of refunds, which would ensure passengers are not automatically forced into accepting credit shells or wallet balances, but instead retain the option to receive direct refunds.

For customers who book tickets through travel agents, the DGCA also intends to enforce timely refunds. The feedback window is intended to collect diverse views and ensure the new regulations address both industry and passenger concerns.

Any adoption or modification of the proposals will occur only after the comment period ends, ensuring thorough consideration of all contributions before implementation.