Flight Delayed? Know Your DGCA Passenger Rights
Don't settle for a food box. Under DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV, you have specific rights based on delay duration, including mandatory meals, full refunds, and hotel accommodation for overnight delays.
Understanding Your Rights Under DGCA Regulations
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has established clear passenger rights through Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 3, Series M, Part IV. These regulations mandate specific compensation and amenities based on the duration of your flight delay.
Delay Duration and Your Entitlements
Your rights escalate with the duration of the delay:
- 0-2 hours: No compensation required, but airline must inform you of the delay
- 2-6 hours: Mandatory refreshments/meals + compensation up to ₹10,000 or cost of ticket (whichever is lower)
- 6+ hours: Full refund OR alternative flight + compensation up to ₹20,000 or cost of ticket (whichever is lower)
- Overnight delay: Hotel accommodation + meals + transportation to/from hotel
What Airlines Don't Want You to Know
Many airlines try to offer a "food box" or "refreshment voucher" as compensation for delays. This is insufficient. Under DGCA regulations, you are entitled to monetary compensation in addition to meals and accommodation.
How to Claim Your Rights
To claim compensation for flight delays:
- Document Everything: Keep your boarding pass, PNR, and any communication from the airline about the delay.
- File a Complaint: Contact the airline's customer service within 7 days of the incident.
- Send a Legal Notice: If the airline doesn't respond, send a formal legal notice citing DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV.
- Escalate if Needed: File a complaint with the Air Seva Portal or Consumer Forum if the airline ignores your notice.
Important Note
Airlines cannot deny compensation by citing "technical glitches" or "operational reasons" unless it's a genuine Force Majeure event (natural disasters, war, etc.). Routine maintenance and technical issues are NOT exempt from compensation requirements.
Using AirGuard AI to Enforce Your Rights
AirGuard AI simplifies the process of claiming your DGCA-mandated compensation. Our platform:
- Automatically identifies the applicable DGCA rule based on your delay duration
- Generates a precise legal notice citing the exact regulation
- Sends the notice directly to the airline's Nodal Officer
- Helps you track the status of your claim
Pro Tip
Airlines are legally required to respond to formal legal notices within 30 days. A notice generated by AirGuard AI strengthens your case significantly if you need to escalate to the Consumer Forum.
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