India: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Regulations

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has established a set of rules for flights operated by airlines that fall under its jurisdiction. These regulations aim to ensure passengers’ rights are protected and that they receive fair treatment and compensation when facing travel disruptions such as delays, cancellations, and denied boarding.

Who is Covered by DGCA Regulations?

Any flight operated by an Indian airline or departing from an airport within India.

Compensation Rates

Flight Delay Compensation:

• Delays lasting over 2 hours: Passengers are entitled to refreshments and meals as appropriate.
• Delays lasting over 6 hours: Passengers are entitled to rebooking on the next available flight or a full refund of the ticket fare.
• Delays lasting over 24 hours/ over 6 hours if the flight is scheduled to depart between 20:00 and 03:00: Passengers are entitled to overnight accommodation.

Flight Cancellation Compensation:

• Advance Notice: Airlines must notify passengers of the cancellation at least 2 weeks in advance.  Passengers can choose an alternative flight or a refund.
• Short Notice Compensation: If a flight is canceled with less than two weeks’ notice and up to 24 hours before departure, passengers can choose an alternate flight or a refund.
• No Notice Compensation: If passengers are not informed about a cancellation or miss a connecting flight, the airline must provide alternate travel options or compensation plus a full refund.

Based on Flight Duration:

• Flights up to 1 hour:           ₹5,000 or the booked one-way fare, whichever is less
• Flights between 1-2 hours: ₹7,500 or the booked one-way fare, whichever is less
• Flights over 2 hours:           ₹10,000 or the booked one-way fare, whichever is less

Overbooking Compensation:

• Domestic Flights:
  • ₹10,000 if alternate travel arrangements are provided within 6 hours.
  • ₹20,000 if alternate travel arrangements are not provided within 6 hours.

• International Flights:
  • ₹15,000 if alternate travel arrangements are provided within 6 hours.
  • ₹30,000 if alternate travel arrangements are not provided within 6 hours.

Additional Rights

Accommodation: For delays lasting overnight, airlines must provide complimentary hotel accommodations and round-trip ground transportation between the hotel and airport.

Assistance: For delays lasting over 2 hours, airlines must provide access to phone calls, SMS, or emails. For delays lasting over 4 hours, passengers are entitled to meals and refreshments as appropriate.

Rebooking: Passengers are entitled to rebooking on the next available flight or a full refund of the ticket fare.

Requirements

Valid Booking: Passengers must have a valid booking or reservation for the affected flight.

Arrival Time: Compensation is based on the actual arrival time at the final destination.

Check-In Time: Passengers also must check-in at the airport on time for their flight.

What Kind of Delays are Airlines Responsible For?

Covered by DCGA Regulations:
 Delays, cancellations due to:

• Airline error
• Airline strikes
• Technical issues within the airline’s control.

Not Covered by DCGA Regulations – Force Majeure
Delays, cancellations due to:

• Weather conditions
• Security risks
• Political unrest
• External factors beyond the airline’s control