No Cancellation Fee if Flight Cancelled Within 48 Hours: DGCA

No Cancellation Fee: To make passenger travelling more transparent and also friendly Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suggested one of the major revisions in flight ticket prices and cancellation policies. The action is a component of a larger initiative to guarantee airlines’ increased accountability and to defend the rights of flying travelers.

When the new Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) is finalized, this is going to improve the passenger trust and gets a good system for refund procedure. This is also going to restore trust among travellers who have long been irritated by delays, unwanted costs, and confusing cancellation procedures.

Major Changes in Flight Ticket Rules:
1. 48-Hour free window for cancellation or amendment: Soon, travelers will have the opportunity to cancel or change their tickets during a 48-hour “look-in” period after making a reservation, without incurring additional fees. The only time this won’t apply is if the passenger switches to a more expensive flight. Domestic reservations made less than five days prior to travel and overseas reservations made fewer than fifteen days prior to departure will not be covered by this accommodating policy, though. According to airline regulation, regular cancellation fees will be incurred beyond the 48-hour period.

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2. Faster refunds and no hidden fees: The DGCA’s proposed regulations call for refunds to be processed within 21 working days, which would put a stop to the frequent delays that passengers experience. Furthermore, even in cases where a passenger cancels late or is reported as a no-show, airlines will still be obliged to reimburse statutory taxes and airport fees. Crucially, the DGCA has made it clear that airlines cannot charge for small name modifications if they are submitted on their website within 24 hours of the reservation.

3. Fairer regulations for agents and medical cancellations: The airlines will bear direct accountability and expedite the resolution process for refunds of tickets purchased through travel agencies. Airlines can only provide a credit shell for cancellations brought on by medical emergencies if the passenger consents. It cannot, however, be applied automatically.