India’s aviation regulator has rolled out a wave of new rules in 2026 that directly affect anyone flying to, from, or within the country. From stricter oversight of foreign airlines to a 48-hour free cancellation window and faster refund timelines, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has made sweeping changes to how airlines operate and how passengers are protected.
Whether you’re flying Emirates to Delhi, booking an IndiGo domestic connection, or transiting through Mumbai, here’s what’s changed and what it means for you.
Foreign airlines now face stricter rules in India
If you fly to India on a foreign carrier — Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, flydubai, Air Arabia, Saudia, or any of the 80-plus international operators — the DGCA has significantly tightened the rules they must follow.
What’s new for foreign airlines
Under an order issued by new DGCA chief Vir Vikram Yadav in April 2026, foreign airlines must now:
- Appoint a local representative in India — an Indian citizen or India-registered entity — who serves as the official point of contact with the DGCA and must report any aviation incident within four hours.
- Set up a formal passenger grievance redressal mechanism, maintain a complaints database, and submit periodic reports to the DGCA.
- Register on the DGCA’s e-Governance of Civil Aviation (eGCA) portal with authenticated documents before operating.
What this means for you
Previously, the DGCA’s consumer protection rules only applied to Indian carriers. Foreign airlines operated under a lighter regulatory touch. That gap is now closed.
If you have a complaint against a foreign airline operating in India — a delayed refund, denied boarding, or mishandled baggage — you can now escalate it through the DGCA’s grievance mechanism, just as you would with Air India or IndiGo.
Operating authorizations can be revoked
The DGCA can now suspend or revoke a foreign airline’s authorization to fly to India on several grounds:
- Failure to maintain international safety and security standards
- Not operating scheduled services to an Indian airport for four consecutive IATA traffic seasons
- Changes in ownership where control is no longer with the designating country
Authorizations are also no longer open-ended — they’re capped at five years, requiring a fresh safety review for renewal. With over 90 airlines operating international flights to India across 33 airports, this brings meaningful accountability to a fast-growing market.
You can now cancel flight tickets for free within 48 hours
Effective March 26, 2026, the DGCA introduced a 48-hour “look-in” period that lets you cancel or change your booking without paying any extra charges.
How the 48-hour window works
- You can cancel or modify your ticket within 48 hours of booking at no additional cost.
- If you switch to a different flight, you only pay the fare difference (if any) — no change fee.
- The window applies only if your departure is at least 7 days away for domestic flights and 15 days away for international flights.
- The benefit applies to tickets booked directly through the airline’s official website.
This is a significant upgrade. Previously, the free cancellation window was just 24 hours in most cases. If you tend to book impulsively or need flexibility, this gives you a much bigger safety net.
Free name corrections within 24 hours
Made a typo in your name while booking? Airlines can no longer charge you for name corrections if you report the error within 24 hours of booking, provided the ticket was purchased directly from the airline’s website.
Refunds must now be processed faster
One of the most common passenger complaints in India has been slow refunds. The DGCA has now set strict, enforceable timelines.
New refund deadlines
| Payment method | Refund deadline | Previous timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card | 7 working days | Up to 30 days |
| Cash (at airline office) | Immediately | Not specified |
| Travel agent or booking portal | 14 working days | Up to 30 days |
These timelines apply to both domestic and international flights. If an airline misses these deadlines, you can file a complaint through the DGCA’s AirSewa portal.
Medical emergency provisions
If you or a family member on the same booking is hospitalized during the travel period, airlines must offer either a full refund or a transferable credit shell valid for at least one year. For other medical situations, refunds are processed after a fitness-to-travel assessment.
For airline-specific refund processes, see our detailed guides on Air India flight cancellations, IndiGo cancellations and refunds, and Emirates cancellations and rebooking.
What happened to the 60% free seat selection rule?
In March 2026, the DGCA issued a directive requiring airlines to let passengers select at least 60% of seats on every domestic flight without any extra charge — up from the existing 20%.
The rule was supposed to take effect on April 20, 2026. It didn’t.
Why the rule was put on hold
On April 2, the Ministry of Civil Aviation put the directive “in abeyance” — meaning it’s suspended indefinitely. The ministry cited the need for a “comprehensive examination of the issue” after the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) and airlines like Akasa Air raised concerns about the impact on fare structures.
What applies right now
The status quo remains: airlines must keep only 20% of seats available for free selection. The remaining 80% can carry seat selection fees ranging from approximately INR 200 to INR 2,100 depending on the airline and seat position.
If the ministry revives this rule, we’ll update this article. For now, budget for seat selection charges on domestic flights if you want a specific seat.
How to file a complaint under the new rules
With the DGCA expanding its passenger protection remit to include foreign airlines, here’s how to escalate issues:
- Use the AirSewa portal — India’s centralized aviation grievance platform — to file complaints against any airline, domestic or foreign.
- Contact the airline’s local representative in India (now mandatory for all foreign carriers).
- For refund disputes, reference the specific DGCA timelines (7 working days for credit cards, 14 working days for agent bookings) in your complaint.
The DGCA now requires foreign airlines to maintain a complaints database and submit periodic reports, which means your complaint is tracked — not just acknowledged and forgotten.
For passengers flying between India and the Gulf, our guides on Air India Express cancellations and Air India’s refund policy cover airline-specific processes in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the new DGCA rules apply to foreign airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways?
Yes. The April 2026 rules specifically target foreign airlines operating in India. They must now appoint local representatives, set up grievance mechanisms, and register on the eGCA portal. The DGCA can revoke their operating authorization for non-compliance.
Can I cancel my ticket for free within 48 hours if I booked through a travel agent?
The 48-hour free cancellation window currently applies only to tickets booked directly through the airline’s official website. If you booked through an agent or third-party portal, the agent’s own cancellation policy applies.
Is the 60% free seat selection rule in effect?
No. The Ministry of Civil Aviation suspended the rule on April 2, 2026, pending further review. Currently, airlines are only required to offer 20% of seats for free selection on domestic flights.
How long should my refund take under the new rules?
Credit card refunds must be processed within 7 working days. For bookings made through travel agents or booking portals, the deadline is 14 working days. Cash purchases at airline offices must be refunded immediately.
Sources
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — Official Website
- Business Standard — DGCA Rolls Out 48-Hour Free Cancellation Window
- Business Today — Civil Aviation Ministry Puts 60% Free Seat Rule on Hold
- Free Press Journal — DGCA Tightens Rules for Foreign Airlines
- AirSewa — Ministry of Civil Aviation Grievance Portal
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
