Domestic Flight Cancellation Rights in India — Your Complete Guide

When an airline cancels your domestic flight in India, you have clear rights under DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) regulations. This guide explains exactly what you're entitled to and how to claim it.

1. Airline-Initiated Cancellation — Your Rights

When the airline cancels your flight (not you), DGCA rules mandate the following:

If notified more than 2 weeks before departure:

• Full refund OR rebooking on the next available flight at no extra cost

If notified 2 weeks to 24 hours before:

• Full refund OR alternate flight
• Compensation of ₹2,500 – ₹5,000 depending on the block time

If notified less than 24 hours before:

• Full refund OR alternate flight
• Compensation of ₹5,000 – ₹10,000
• Meals and refreshments if waiting at the airport
• Hotel accommodation if overnight wait required

2. Passenger-Initiated Cancellation — Refund Rules

When you cancel your booking, refund depends on the fare type:

Cancellation Timing	Cancellation Charge
More than 4 days before	As per fare rules (typically ₹1,500 – ₹3,000)
4 days to 2 hours before	Higher cancellation fee (₹2,000 – ₹4,000)
Within 2 hours or no-show	No refund on most economy fares

Note: "Non-refundable" fares are only non-refundable for the base fare. Statutory taxes are always refundable.

3. Flight Delay Rights

DGCA mandates airlines to provide:

• 2+ hour delay: Meals and refreshments
• 4+ hour delay: Option to rebook or get full refund
• 6+ hour delay: Hotel accommodation (for transit passengers)

4. How to Claim Your Refund

1. Contact the airline first: Call or email the airline with your PNR and booking reference
2. Document everything: Save boarding pass, cancellation SMS/email, and payment receipts
3. Use airline's official portal: Most airlines have an online refund claim form
4. Escalate to DGCA: If airline doesn't respond within 30 days, file complaint at AirSewa
5. Consumer forum: For amounts over ₹20,000, consider filing at District Consumer Forum

5. Refund Timeline

• Credit/Debit card: 5-7 business days after airline processes
• UPI: 3-5 business days
• Net banking: 5-7 business days
• Airline processes within: 15-30 days (DGCA mandated)

6. Weather & Force Majeure

Airlines are not liable for compensation when cancellations are caused by:

• Severe weather (fog, cyclones, thunderstorms)
• Natural disasters
• Security threats
• Air traffic control restrictions

However, refund of the ticket amount is still required even in force majeure situations.