Air travel tips : Know Your Rights for Airlines Passengers in India

MoCA shares tips for knowing your rights if your flight is delayed (after Check-in), if your flight is diverted or cancelled, and if you opt for a refund

People at an airport. (Representative image). Photo by Cameron Cox on Unsplash

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Govt. of India, has shared some tips for knowing your rights, for the airways travellers in India. These tips are useful if you're a travelling as a passenger in an airlines in India.

Here are the details below, on what to know about your rights as an Airlines passenger in India:

1. If your flight is delayed (After Check-in)

If your flight is delayed (After Check-in), the airline must inform you immediately.

Your rights depend on the delay duration:

• 2 hours or more- Free refreshments / meals
• More than 6 hours- Free meals + option to reschedule or get full refund
• Overnight delay- Free hotel stay + airport–hotel transport

Delay is counted from the original scheduled departure time.

2. If your flight is diverted

If your flight is diverted, the airline must provide information about the new landing airport, free meals and refreshments, and transport to your original destination (if required).

3. If your flight is cancelled

If your flight is cancelled:

1. Airline must inform you at least 2 weeks in advance
2. If informed less than 24 hours before departure, you can choose:
   • Full refund
   • Alternate flight at no extra cost
   • Compensation (as applicable)

The Airline must also provide meals or refreshments and hotel accommodation, if required.

4. If you opt for a refund

What to know when you opt for a refund:

• Credit/Debit Card: Within 7 working days
• Cash/Cheque: Immediately or within airline’s stated time
• Online booking: As per payment gateway rules.

Note that if the payment was made through a travel agent, you'll have to get the refund through your travel agent.

Also note that the amount refunded by airline should consist of: Passenger Services Fee, Airport Development Fee(ADF)/User Development Fee(UDF), and Service Tax. You may either take the refund or opt to utilise the same for a future travel.

The complete Passenger Charter of Rights can be found on the Ministry of Civil Aviation's official website or also on your airline's website.

You can also visit the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) website to view the details of passenger rights that are specified in the Passenger Charter.

References

1. Post by MoCA_GoI @MoCA_GoI on X. 8:08 PM - Dec 31, 2025
2. Post by MoCA_GoI @MoCA_GoI on X. 9:18 PM - Dec 31, 2025
3. Post by MoCA_GoI @MoCA_GoI on X. 10:07 PM - Dec 31, 2025
4. Know Your Rights - Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Government of India