In a move to ease the burden on air travelers, India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has amended rules governing ticket refunds. These changes allow passengers to cancel or change their flight bookings within 48 hours of making the reservation without incurring any penalties. The revised Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), released on February 24, aim to improve transparency in airline policies, particularly in response to rising complaints regarding delayed refunds.

Under the new regulations, airlines will be required to provide passengers a 48-hour window during which they can cancel or modify their tickets without additional fees. This change is intended to enhance travelers' rights and provide them with more flexibility in their travel plans. However, it is important to note that if passengers wish to switch to a different flight, they will be subject to the existing fare differences. Moreover, certain conditions apply; for domestic flights, this 48-hour grace period applies only if cancellations occur more than seven days before the scheduled departure, while for international flights, it is 15 days.

These reforms come as a response to a growing number of complaints from passengers regarding refund delays, underscoring the need for improved efficiency and transparency in airline operations. The DGCA's measures are expected to empower travelers while pushing airlines towards more consumer-friendly practices, ultimately aiming for a better travel experience in India's aviation sector.