INR
Flight cancellations and long delays are routine in India — monsoon, winter fog, and heavy operational days all trigger them. When it happens, DGCA rules and your airline's fare terms decide whether you get a refund, a free re-route, or cash compensation. Most travellers don't know what they're owed — here's exactly where you stand.
The 4 things you're entitled to
If the airline cancels your flight, the DGCA Civil Aviation Requirement, Section 3, Series M, Part IV gives you the right to choose between:
- A full refund to your original payment method
- Re-routing to your destination at the earliest possible time at no extra cost
- Re-routing on a later date of your choice at no extra cost
- Compensation on top of the refund/re-routing — only if the cancellation was within the airline's control (not weather, ATC, or other force majeure)
How much compensation am I entitled to?
If the cancellation was within the airline's control and you were not notified at least 2 weeks before departure:
| Block-time of flight | Compensation amount |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | ₹5,000 or booked fare (whichever is less) |
| 1 to 2 hours | ₹7,500 or booked fare |
| More than 2 hours | ₹10,000 or booked fare |
Plus — free meals/refreshments at the airport, and free hotel/transfers if alternate flight is more than 24 hours later.
Long delays and denied boarding
The same DGCA rules cover two situations travellers hit more often than a clean cancellation:
- Long delays — free meals/refreshments once a delay crosses about 2 hours, a full refund or re-routing once a domestic delay runs past roughly 6 hours, and hotel accommodation if it stretches overnight.
- Denied boarding (overbooking) — with a confirmed ticket and on-time reporting: no compensation if you are re-accommodated within 1 hour; otherwise compensation of roughly 200% of fare (capped around ₹10,000) for a shorter re-accommodation and about 400% (capped around ₹20,000) for a longer one, plus your refund or re-route.
Exact amounts and timings are set by the DGCA and can change — check the current CAR for the figures that apply to you.
Free cancellation after booking — what's actually true
There is no blanket DGCA rule that makes every ticket free to cancel for 48 hours, and non-refundable “saver” fares are not automatically refundable. What is real: most airlines let you cancel or change for free within 24 hours of booking on flexible fares, and they refund the statutory taxes and fees on almost any cancelled ticket. The exact window and what you get back depend on your fare type and airline — always read the cancellation terms shown at the time of booking.
When you DON'T get compensation (force majeure)
The airline doesn't owe compensation when cancellation is caused by something outside its control:
- Severe weather (fog, monsoon, storms)
- Natural disasters
- Air traffic control restrictions or runway closures
- Security threats or political unrest
- Airspace closures (West Asia situation)
You're still entitled to a refund or re-routing — but no cash compensation.
Refund timelines
| Payment method | Refund timeline |
|---|---|
| Credit card / debit card / UPI / net banking | 7 working days |
| Cash / cheque | 30 days |
Step-by-step: what to do when your flight is cancelled
If you're at home
- Don't immediately accept the rebooking offer — it's often a flight 24+ hours later
- Open the airline app or call CS, ask for the earliest available alternate on any carrier
- If no acceptable alternate, request a full refund
- Claim compensation in writing if cancellation was within airline's control
If you're already at the airport
- Go to the airline's customer service desk (not check-in)
- Demand: re-routing, meal vouchers, hotel + transfer if overnight
- Get every promise in writing or screenshot
- Keep all receipts
If you don't get satisfaction
- File on the AirSewa portal
- Tag DGCA on Twitter/X
- For large amounts, file in district consumer commission
What I wish more travellers knew
- Airlines won't proactively offer compensation — you have to ask, in writing
- Credit shell vouchers are not equivalent to refunds (expiry dates, blackouts)
- Travel insurance often covers force majeure cancellations the airline doesn't
- Premium credit cards (Axis Magnus, HDFC Infinia) often include cancellation cover
- Document everything in real time
Need a replacement flight today?
If your flight was cancelled, Tatkal Flights aggregates live last-minute inventory across all Indian carriers — see your real options instantly.
Search live fares →Frequently asked questions
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled in India?
Under DGCA rules, you can choose between a full refund, re-routing on the next available flight, or re-routing on a later date — at no extra cost. If the cancellation was within the airline's control (not weather, ATC, or other force majeure), compensation of Rs 5,000-10,000 also applies.
How long does an airline have to refund my cancelled ticket?
Within 7 working days for card, UPI, and net-banking payments. Within 30 days for cash.
Can I cancel my flight ticket within 48 hours for free?
Not as a blanket right — there is no DGCA rule giving free 48-hour cancellation on every fare, and non-refundable fares usually refund only taxes and fees. Many airlines do offer free cancellation or changes within 24 hours of booking on flexible fares; check your fare's terms at booking.
Do I get compensation if my flight is cancelled due to weather?
No cash compensation — weather is force majeure. But you are still entitled to a full refund or free re-routing.
Can the airline force me to take a credit voucher?
No. You have the right to a cash refund to your original payment method.
What should I do if the airline refuses my refund?
File a complaint on AirSewa, tag DGCA on social media, and if significant, file in your district consumer forum.