DGCA Proposes 48-Hour ‘Look-In’ Option and Faster Refunds to Boost Passenger Rights

Air passengers in India may soon enjoy greater flexibility and faster refunds as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has proposed a series of passenger-friendly reforms under its new draft Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR).

Among the key highlights is a “Look-in Option” that allows passengers to cancel or modify tickets within 48 hours of booking—without paying any cancellation or amendment fee.

What Is the ‘Look-In Option’?

According to the DGCA draft,

“The airline shall provide a ‘Look-in option’ for a period of 48 hours after booking the ticket. During this period, passengers can cancel or amend the ticket without any additional charges, except for the normal prevailing fare for the revised flight.”

This means that if you change your mind within two days of booking, you can alter your travel plan or cancel it at no extra cost—as long as the new fare difference is paid (if applicable).

However, this benefit won’t apply if the scheduled departure is within five days for domestic flights or 15 days for international flights from the booking date. After the 48-hour window, normal cancellation or amendment charges will apply.

No Extra Fee for Correcting Name Errors

The DGCA draft also protects passengers from being overcharged for minor name corrections.
If a traveler books directly through the airline’s website and spots a spelling mistake in their name, they can correct it within 24 hours without any penalty.

“An airline shall not levy any additional charge for correction in the name of the same person when the error is pointed out within 24 hours of booking,” the draft states.

Faster Refund Timelines Proposed

The DGCA has also laid out clear timelines for airlines to issue refunds, addressing one of the most common complaints among travelers.

Credit/Debit Card Payments: Refunds must be processed within seven days.
Cash Payments: Refunds must be made immediately at the airline’s office.
Tickets Booked via Travel Agents or Portals: The onus of refund lies with the airline, not the agent, and must be completed within 21 working days.

In cases where passengers cancel tickets due to medical emergencies, airlines are encouraged to offer either a refund or a credit shell that can be used for future travel.

Public Feedback Invited

The DGCA has invited comments from stakeholders and the public on these draft rules until November 30, 2025.
Once finalized, these regulations could significantly improve the customer experience and accountability in India’s rapidly growing civil aviation sector.

Why It Matters

India’s aviation market is one of the fastest-growing in the world, with millions of passengers relying on air travel each month. The proposed reforms are seen as part of the DGCA’s efforts to make air travel more transparent, passenger-centric, and digitally efficient.