When an airline cancels a flight, passengers in India have clear legal rights to a refund and, in many cases, compensation or alternate arrangements. If the airline is refusing to honor these obligations, you have several avenues to seek redress through consumer protection and aviation regulations.
Key points
- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 3, Series M, Part IV sets out passenger rights for flight cancellations, including the right to a full refund or alternate flight.
- If the cancellation is the airline's fault and you were not given at least two weeks' notice, you may be entitled to compensation in addition to a refund.
- The airline must offer you a choice between a full ticket refund and an alternate flight at the earliest opportunity.
- A refusal to refund or compensate, when legally required, can amount to a deficiency in service under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
- Keep all records — your booking confirmation, cancellation notice, and any written communication from the airline — as evidence.
Relevant law
Your primary protections come from the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (which covers deficiency in service by airlines) and the DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3, Series M, Part IV (which specifically governs passenger rights in cases of cancellations, delays, and denied boarding). Complaints to the DGCA fall under the Aircraft Act, 1934 and its associated rules.
What you can do
- First, send a formal written complaint to the airline's grievance officer, clearly stating your demand for a refund or compensation.
- File a complaint with the DGCA AirSewa portal (airsewa.gov.in), the official government platform for aviation passenger grievances.
- If the airline still does not respond adequately, file a consumer complaint at the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Bengaluru, or use the e-Daakhil portal (edaakhil.nic.in) to file your case online.
- Consider consulting a consumer rights lawyer if the compensation amount is significant, to assess the strength of your claim.
This is a system-generated summary based on general principles of Indian law, to help you understand your situation. It’s general legal information, not legal advice, and may not reflect the specifics of your case. For guidance on your matter, consult a verified advocate below.
