Find out what you’re owed for a delayed or cancelled flight in India. Up to ₹10,000 compensation, plus refund and care, under DGCA’s CAR Section 3, Series M.
Your flight from New Delhi to Mumbai is 1,135 km. A 4-hour delay caused by a technical issue is within the airline’s control. Under DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M you’re entitled to meals and refreshments, and a full refund if you choose not to travel — but DGCA does not set a fixed cash payout for delays.
What next: Write to the airline’s nodal officer citing DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M. They have 15 days to respond. If unresolved, escalate to the airline’s appellate authority, then to AirSewa or the DGCA.
DGCA does not use the EU/UK distance-and-delay payout tiers. For cancellations within the airline’s control and short of two weeks’ notice, a fixed amount applies based on the flight’s scheduled block time, capped at the one-way fare. Delays are covered mainly by care and refund duties.
Short sectors such as Delhi–Jaipur or Mumbai–Goa. Payable when the airline cancels with under two weeks’ notice and fails to offer a suitable alternate flight, capped at the one-way fare.
Mid-length domestic sectors such as Delhi–Bengaluru or Mumbai–Kolkata. Same conditions: cancellation inside two weeks with no acceptable alternate offered.
Long domestic and short international sectors. Payable on cancellation inside two weeks with no acceptable alternate. On top of compensation you can still claim a full refund and reasonable care.
All scheduled airlines operating to, from or within India — including IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air, SpiceJet and Vistara, as well as foreign carriers on their India sectors. The protections under CAR Section 3, Series M apply to the India leg of your journey. For sectors flown entirely outside India, the rules of the relevant country or the Montreal Convention may apply instead.
Weather, air traffic control restrictions, political instability, security risks, natural disasters and similar events. In these cases the airline must still provide care — meals, refreshments and a refund or alternate flight — but it does not owe the fixed cancellation compensation. Technical and crew issues are treated as within the airline’s control.
Raise it with the airline as soon as you can. For a refund, the airline must process it within the timeframe set by the DGCA. If you escalate through AirSewa or consumer forums, do so promptly — consumer complaints in India are generally subject to a two-year limitation period from the cause of action.
Yes, if both flights were on a single booking and the delay or cancellation caused you to miss the connection. Your right to a refund or an alternate flight applies to the journey as booked, and the airline must look after you while you wait for re-accommodation.
No. Most claims are settled by writing directly to the airline’s nodal officer citing DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M. Keep your boarding pass, receipts and any cancellation message. Only consider a paid service or a consumer forum if the airline refuses or ignores you — the free AirSewa route usually comes first.