What are your air passenger rights in India?

Flying to, from, or within India? You’ve got rights. India’s Passenger Charter, issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and enforced by the DGCA, sets out what airlines owe you when things go wrong — from denied boarding to delayed and canceled flights. Compensation amounts are lower compared to European regulations, but air passenger rights in India still entitle you to care, refunds, and in some cases, cash payouts. Here’s everything you need to know.

Let’s start with the news that might frustrate you: unlike in the EU, there’s no monetary compensation for flight delays in India. That said, airlines do have obligations: if you’ve checked in on time and your flight is delayed, the airline must look after you depending on the situation.

Short delay (2+ hours)

If you’ve checked in on time but the airline expects a delay of 2 hours or more (for short flights) up to 4 hours or more (for long flights), you’re entitled to free meals and refreshments while you wait. The exact threshold depends on the flight’s “block time” — that’s the total scheduled gate-to-gate duration:

• For shorter flights (up to 2½ hours), the right kicks in after a 2-hour delay

• For medium flights (2½–5 hours), after 3 hours

• For longer flights, after 4 hours

Delay of 6+ hours

If your domestic flight is expected to be delayed by more than 6 hours, the airline must offer you either an alternate flight within 6 hours or a full refund of your ticket. The rescheduled departure time should be communicated to you at least 24 hours before the original departure.

Overnight delay

Here’s where the rules get more generous. The airline must provide free hotel accommodation (including transfers) if your flight is delayed by more than 24 hours, or by more than 6 hours when scheduled to depart between 20:00 and 03:00.

Unlike delays, cancellations can earn you financial compensation in India — depending on how much notice the airline gives you and whether you accept an alternative flight.

Cancellation with 2 weeks’ to 24 hours’ notice

If the airline informs you of a cancellation less than 2 weeks but more than 24 hours before the scheduled departure, they must offer you either an alternate flight or a full refund of your ticket. No additional compensation is owed at this stage.

Cancellation with less than 24 hours’ notice (or missed connection)

This is where compensation kicks in. If you’re not informed according to the provisions above — or if you’ve missed a connecting flight booked on the same ticket — the airline must provide an alternate flight or a full refund, plus compensation on top based on the flight’s block time:

Compensation is capped at the amounts above or your one-way basic fare plus fuel charge, whichever is lower.

Denied boarding due to overbooking

Overbooking happens when an airline sells more seats than are available on the aircraft. If you’ve got a confirmed booking and showed up on time, but there’s no seat for you, you’ve been “denied boarding.” Under India’s passenger rights regulations, the airline must first ask for volunteers willing to give up their seats in exchange for benefits. If that doesn’t free up enough seats, involuntary denied boarding kicks in, and you are entitled to compensation.

The amount depends on how quickly the airline can get you on an alternate flight:

Compensation is calculated as 200% (alternate within 24h) or 400% (alternate after 24h / declined) of your one-way basic fare plus fuel charge, subject to the caps above.

Airlines don’t have to pay compensation if the disruption was caused by something outside their control. The Passenger Charter calls these force majeure situations, and they include things like:

• Extreme weather, natural disasters

• Political instability, civil war or riots

• Air traffic management decisions

• Security risks

Delays, cancellations, and overbookings aren't the only situations where the Passenger Charter protects you. Here's what else you should know about your rights when flying in India.

If you believe an airline has violated your rights under the Passenger Charter, here’s how to go about getting what you’re owed.

1. Know what you’re entitled to

Start by reviewing the information above (or check the Passenger Charter itself). At the airport, a notice must be clearly displayed at check-in counters and boarding gates explaining your rights, particularly regarding compensation and assistance.

2. Claim directly with the airline

You can lodge a claim and request compensation at help desks located at arrival and departure stations, or do so electronically. If you’re denied boarding or your flight is canceled, the airline must give you a written notice setting out the rules for compensation and assistance.

3. Escalate if the airline doesn’t cooperate

Not getting anywhere? You can file a grievance through the AirSewa app or portal (airsewa.gov.in), a government platform designed to handle air travel complaints. If you’re still not satisfied, you can escalate to a statutory body or court under applicable Indian laws.

4. Check if other regulations protect you too

Here’s something many passengers don’t realize: your flight might also be covered by other air passenger rights regulations. For example, if your journey involves an EU departure or an EU-based carrier, EC 261 could entitle you to up to US$650 in compensation. AirHelp doesn’t currently process claims under India’s Passenger Charter, but we can check whether your flight qualifies under regulations we do support.