The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on February 24, 2026, issued the Civil Aviation Requirements Section 3 - Air Transport Series 'M', Part II related to the Refund of Airline Tickets to Passengers of Public Transport Undertakings.
The following has been stated: -
•The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued Civil Aviation Requirements (Section 3, Series M, Part II) prescribing minimum standards for airline ticket refunds, effective March 26, 2026.
•Airlines must process refunds within 7 days for credit card payments, immediately for cash payments, and within 14 working days for tickets booked via agents/portals.
•All statutory taxes (UDF/ADF/PSF) must be refunded even for non-refundable fares, and cancellation charges cannot exceed the basic fare plus fuel surcharge.
•Passengers are given a 48-hour “look-in option” to cancel or amend tickets without extra charges (subject to certain booking conditions).
•Airlines cannot force credit shells, must clearly disclose refund and cancellation policies, and cannot levy additional charges for refund processing or eligible name corrections.
The detailed notification is given in the document below.
[Notification No.: File No. 23-16/2016-AED]
