Flight cancelled by IndiGo?:From full ticket refund to free hotel accommodation, find out what your rights are

The Indigo fiasco continues to haunt citizens. Still, the no-frills airline has not been able to resume operations completely and many passengers are yet to get back their baggage. Earlier, one by one, most of its flights were found to have failed to fly passengers as the budget carrier had failed to properly incorporate the government of India’s aviation sector regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) regulations brought in 2024.
So, if a flight in India is cancelled, then what rights do passengers have who had already booked tickets? How much refund would they get? What do rules of government of India state? Let’s find out! According to the rules and regulations as set by the GoI’s DGCA that govern the airline industry of the nation, on flight cancellations, it is legally binding upon the airlines to offer options of both alternative flights and ticket refunds to the affected passengers. It is upon the passenger to select either of the two options. If he selects the option to fly on an alternative flight, then he will have to pay the difference of fares between the two flights (if there is any). However, if he selects the second option, he will receive a refund for the ticket. The number of days within which the refund amount would be credited to him depends on the mode of payment: When will the passenger get refund? Money will be returned immediately If the payment was made from a credit card, then the airline will have to refund the ticket fare within seven days of the scheduled departure of the flight. If the flier had booked tickets through any third party like travel agents or online travel portals Make My Trip, Ixigo, etc, then he will get a refund within 30 days. When will airlines not provide you ticket refunds on flight cancellations? If the reason behind the cancellation was beyond the control of the airline then, the DGCA grants the carrier the right to deny extending facility to refund the ticket to passengers. Such reasons are listed below: Other rights of the passengers given by DGCA: The DGCA has also made it mandatory for airlines to arrange for meals and refreshments for those passengers whose flights were cancelled, and those who have already reported at airports and would now wait for the alternative flight. The passengers are also entitled to free hotel accommodation by the airline in case of cancellations. Where can passengers file for ticket refund? It is binding upon the airline to contact the affected passenger and ensure that he or she is informed about all the requisite facilities they can avail-of. What options fliers have if airline denies ticket refund? If the carrier has denied or not processed the the flight ticket refund, then, the DGCA empowers the grieved flier to approach the following entities: When affected by cancellation, the passenger may complain directly to the airline if it has not credited back the money If the flier is not satisfied by the feedback given by the carrier, then he may file the grievance on GoI’s Air Sewa App or Portal. If the passenger is not satisfied with the resolution of the grievance by the airline and/or Air Sewa, the passenger has the liberty to complain to any statutory body or court.