Flight cancellation compensation for passengers in India

Understanding your passenger rights is important when faced with flight disruption in India.

Flight disruptions are a frustrating aspect of travelling, but understanding your rights should your flight be delayed or cancelled can help you claim what you’re entitled to. Discover all you need to know about refunds and compensation options in India.

Flight disruptions: Delays and cancellations

Being told your flight has been delayed or cancelled is a stressful experience and can severely disrupt your travel plans. Familiarising yourself with your passenger rights can empower you in the event of flight disruption and help to ensure you receive any compensation you’re entitled to.

This guide to flight cancellation compensation highlights DGCA guidelines for domestic flights within India, outlining refund and compensation eligibility. Alongside this information, ensure you understand the cancellation policy of your chosen airline and know how to contact them should your flight be disrupted.

a person looking at the smartphone at the airport

What to do when your flight is disrupted?

If your flight is disrupted, it’s important to stay calm and act quickly to get your travel plans back on track. Gathering information about the cause of the disruption, keeping hold of relevant documentation, and understanding what you’re entitled to under the circumstances are vital in claiming compensation and continuing your journey.

What should you do if your flight is delayed?

Flight delay compensation depends on the situation, such as the airline you’re travelling with, the length of the delay, and whether the delay is within the airline’s control. Check the DGCA guidelines for advice around what you’re entitled to when your flight is disrupted. You should also familiarise yourself with your airline or online travel agent’s policies as these may also vary depending on your situation.

a person sleeps on airport seating with their carry-on-luggage next to them

What should you do if your flight is cancelled?

Although a delayed flight is frustrating, a cancelled flight can really throw your travel plans into disarray. Contact the airline as soon as you discover your flight has been cancelled as this will give you the best chance of finding a solution quickly, or starting the compensation process.

Read more: What to do if your flight is cancelled

Can you claim compensation for a cancelled flight?

It depends on the situation - if the situation falls under extraordinary circumstances outside of the airline's control, you won't be eligible for compensation, but you will be offered either refund or an alternate flight.

“Extraordinary circumstances” refer to situations where the flight delay or cancellation isn’t the fault of the airline. This could include extreme weather or airport strikes. Your airline will be able to provide more information if this is the case.

If the cancellation was within the airline's control, you should be eligible for compensation. Contact the airline directly to find out about your options and keep hold of any relevant documentation, such as boarding passes and disruption notifications.

Filing a complaint with AirSewa

If your airline fails to honour your rights under DGCA guidelines, you can escalate your complaint through AirSewa, the Indian government's official aviation grievance platform. Available as both a web portal at airsewa.gov.in and a mobile app, AirSewa lets you log complaints, track their status and connect with DGCA Nodal Officers who are stationed at major airports across India. It's your most direct route to regulatory support if an airline isn't playing by the rules.

A parent and child stand silhouetted against a large airport window, looking out at airplanes on the tarmac.

Denied boarding because of overbooking?


Airlines will sometimes overbook flights to avoid empty seats as they assume that not all passengers will turn up. Should you be denied boarding due to overbooking, airlines may compensate you if they cannot place you on an alternative flight within an hour. Check with your airline for their specific policy.

What are the flight delay and cancellation compensation amounts?

The flight disruption compensation you’re entitled to will vary depending on the airline’s policy, the reason for the disruption, the length of the delay, and even where you’re travelling to. The DGCA website, your airline, or your online travel agent can provide you with the most up to date information so you know what you can claim. If you booked your flight through Skyscanner, you should contact the airline directly to arrange compensation.

Read the DGCA guidelines for a full overview of what you may be entitled to. These are guidelines for domestic flights within India. Please note that international flight compensation may differ.

Flight disruption FAQs

Flight cancellation refund processing times will vary depending on the circumstances, so patience is key. Under perfect circumstances, you can expect your flight cancellation refund:

  • Immediately if you paid by cash

  • Within 7 days if the payment was made by credit card

However, if there are many claims pending, wait times for your flight ticket cancellation refund can increase. Also be sure to check with your airline or online travel agent (OTA) for expected timelines when you make a claim. You may be able to find this information in their flight refund policy.

The chances of getting a refund if the first flight is cancelled or delayed and you miss your connecting flight are extremely low if the flight is run by a separate airline. Hence, booking connecting flights with the same airline is beneficial even if it works out to be more expensive.

It’s also worth checking your travel insurance policy as it could be that you’re covered should you miss your connecting flight due to a delay or cancellation. When buying a policy in the future, it’s worth considering this cover should you often take flights with connections.

Under the DGCA rules, the time limit for claiming flight delay compensation for cancelled flights is two years. It’s important to file your claim within this time period in order to be eligible for compensation. It makes sense to file your claim as soon as it’s happened when all details are fresh in your mind, rather than waiting two years. If you file your flight delay claim immediately, you should receive your compensation sooner too.

Should your flight be cancelled because the airline has gone bankrupt, follow their specific instructions for refunds and rebooking. Each case is different, so keep an eye out for information from the airline to ensure you have the latest details.

If you booked your disrupted flight through an online travel agent, contact their customer service team for their flight disruption policies.

Skyscanner’s help page offers further assistance and information about what to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled. If you booked your flight through Skyscanner, contact the airline directly to claim any compensation you’re entitled to.

Planning ahead is the best defence against travel disruptions. Before you fly, brush up on how to book flights through Skyscanner and use our guide on when to book for the best fares to make sure you're getting the most value from the start. It's also worth sorting out travel insurance before you go — it can be a lifesaver when things go sideways. And if you're on an international route, our guide on what to do when your flight is delayed or cancelled has you covered.

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