The rules in brief
The DGCA’s Civil Aviation Requirement on “facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding, cancellation of flights and delays in flights” (CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV) applies to Indian airlines. Its main points:
Cancellation
- The airline must offer an alternative flight or a full refund.
- If you were told less than two weeks before (and less than 24 hours for some re-routing cases) and not offered an alternative within two hours of the original departure, the airline must also pay compensation: up to ₹5,000 for flights up to 1 hour, ₹7,500 for 1–2 hours and ₹10,000 for longer flights — or the booked one-way basic fare plus fuel charge, if lower.
- No compensation if the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline’s control.
Long delays
- Meals and refreshments, free of charge, when delays pass 2 hours (flights up to 2½ hours), 3 hours (2½–5 hours) or 4 hours (longer flights).
- Delays over 6 hours, announced 24 hours ahead: an alternative flight or a full refund.
- Delays over 24 hours, or over 6 hours for departures between 20:00 and 03:00: hotel accommodation.
- Delays alone don’t carry cash compensation under these rules.
Denied boarding
- If an alternative leaves within 1 hour: no compensation.
- Within 24 hours: 200% of the booked one-way basic fare + fuel charge, up to ₹10,000.
- Later than 24 hours: 400%, up to ₹20,000. If you refuse the alternative, a full refund plus compensation.
How to claim
- Ask the airline at the airport, and keep boarding passes, the cancellation message and receipts.
- Write to the airline’s customer service or grievance officer.
- If unresolved, complain on the government’s AirSewa portal.
Questions people ask
Do these rules apply to foreign airlines flying from India?
The CAR is written for Indian carriers. Foreign airlines follow their own country’s rules (for example EU261 for flights from the EU) and their conditions of carriage.
Will I get my convenience fee back on a refund?
Airlines and agents treat convenience and booking fees differently. Ask for an itemised refund; complain on AirSewa if fees are wrongly withheld.
Is weather “beyond the airline’s control”?
Usually yes for genuine bad weather, so compensation may not apply — but refunds or alternative flights and meals for long delays still do.
Sources
- DGCA — Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3 Series M Part IV
- AirSewa — Ministry of Civil Aviation grievance portal
Summary of the DGCA passenger-facilities CAR as reviewed in November 2026. Rules can change; check the current CAR on the DGCA website before you claim. Last reviewed: November 2026.