How much compensation does DGCA mandate when an Indian domestic flight is cancelled with less than 24 hours notice?

Under DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV, if an airline cancels a flight less than 24 hours before scheduled departure and you do not accept an alternate flight departing within 2 hours, the airline must pay ₹5,000 (for flights up to 1 hour block time), ₹7,500 (1 to 2 hours), or ₹10,000 (over 2 hours), capped at your one-way Basic Fare plus Airline Fuel Charge, in addition to a 100% ticket refund.

Does EU261 (€600) apply to Air India or IndiGo flights between India and Europe?

EU Regulation 261/2004 (and UK261) applies to non-EU/non-UK airlines like Air India, IndiGo, Emirates, and Qatar Airways ONLY when the flight departs from an EU or UK airport (e.g., London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris CDG, or Milan to Delhi/Mumbai), entitling delayed passengers (≥3 hours) to €600 / £520 (~₹55,000). On the outbound India-to-Europe leg, EU261 applies only if you fly an EU/UK-registered airline such as Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM, or Virgin Atlantic.

What is the DGCA denied boarding (overbooking) compensation in India?

If you hold a confirmed ticket, report on time, and are involuntarily denied boarding due to overbooking without an alternate flight departing within 1 hour, DGCA mandates 200% of one-way Basic Fare plus Fuel Surcharge (up to ₹10,000) if the alternate flight departs within 24 hours, or 400% (up to ₹20,000) if the alternate flight is more than 24 hours later or if you decline rebooking.

Statutory Passenger Rights • 2026DGCA CAR • EU Regulation 261/2004 • UK261

Flight Delay, Cancellation & Overbooking Compensation Calculator

Verify whether your delayed, cancelled, or overbooked flight qualifies for statutory cash compensation under India's DGCA Passenger Charter (up to ₹20,000), European Union Regulation 261/2004 (€600 / ~₹55,000), or UK261 (£520), and check mandatory hotel and terminal meal entitlements.

Step 01 • Flight & Disruption Details

Select Route Direction, Carrier & Disruption

Flight Route Direction

Operating Airline Headquarters

Why this matters: On India → Europe flights, EU/UK airlines owe €600/£520 for 3h+ delays, whereas Indian/Gulf airlines follow DGCA rules outbound and EU261 inbound!

What Happened to Your Flight?

Primary Cause of Disruption

Flight Duration (Hrs)

One-Way Basic Fare (₹)

Passengers on PNR

Step 02 • Statutory Passenger Entitlement

DGCA India Charter Claim

Cash Compensation Eligible

Total Statutory Cash Payout (1 Passenger)₹6,500

Statutory Scale₹6,500 INR

Applicable Law: DGCA India Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV)

Under DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV (Para 3.3.2), when an airline cancels a flight with less than 24 hours notice before scheduled departure and fails to provide an acceptable alternate flight departing within 2 hours, it must pay up to ₹10,000 (capped at Basic Fare + Airline Fuel Charge = ₹6,500) IN ADDITION to a full ticket refund.

Mandatory Airport Meals, Hotel & Refund Rights

Full 100% refund of ticket (including all taxes and convenience fees if booked directly) OR free alternate flight + complimentary terminal meals while waiting.

How to File Without Paying 30% Claim Agency Commissions

Step 1: Email the airline's Nodal Officer & Appellate Authority (mandatory DGCA directory). Step 2: File a formal grievance on the Ministry of Civil Aviation AirSewa Portal (airsewa.gov.in) quoting DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV.

Reference & Citation Utility

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Flight Compensation Check (DGCA India Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV)): Eligible for ₹6,500 INR (~₹6,500 total for 1 pax) — Step 1: Email the airline's Nodal Officer & Appellate Authority (mandatory DGCA directory). Step 2: File a formal grievance on the Ministry of Civil Aviation AirSewa Portal (airsewa.gov.in) quoting DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV.

 Calculator & Breakdown: [DGCA India, EU261 & UK261 Flight Delay & Cancellation Compensation Calculator (2026) (Passage Wire)](https://passagewire.com/tools/flight-compensation?corridor=india_domestic&carrier=indian_or_gulf&disruption=cancelled_under_24h)

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[DGCA India, EU261 & UK261 Flight Delay & Cancellation Compensation Calculator (2026) — Passage Wire](https://passagewire.com/tools/flight-compensation?corridor=india_domestic&carrier=indian_or_gulf&disruption=cancelled_under_24h)

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<a href="https://passagewire.com/tools/flight-compensation?corridor=india_domestic&carrier=indian_or_gulf&disruption=cancelled_under_24h" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DGCA India, EU261 & UK261 Flight Delay & Cancellation Compensation Calculator (2026) — Passage Wire</a>

Statutory Comparison Table

DGCA India CAR vs. EU261 & UK261 Passenger Compensation Thresholds

Scenario / Route	Governing Law	Delay ≥ 3–6 Hours	Cancellation (<24h / <14d)	Overbooking / Denied Boarding
India Domestic Flights (All Airlines)	DGCA CAR Sec 3, Series M, Part IV	Free meals (2–4h+); free hotel if night delay >6h (20:00–03:00) or >24h	₹5,000 (≤1h) / ₹7,500 (1–2h) / ₹10,000 (>2h) + 100% Refund	Up to ₹10,000 (200%) or ₹20,000 (400%) + Refund
India → Europe/UK on Air India / IndiGo / Gulf Carrier	DGCA India Rules (Non-EU Carrier Outbound)	Free meals & hotel for overnight delays >6h	Up to ₹10,000 + 100% Refund	Up to ₹20,000 + Refund
India → Europe/UK on Lufthansa / BA / Air France / KLM	EU261 / UK261 (EU/UK Carrier Either Direction)	€600 / £520 (~₹55,000) for ≥3h arrival delay	€600 / £520 (~₹55,000) + Re-routing or Refund	€600 / £520 (~₹55,000) immediate payout
Europe/UK → India on ANY Airline (Including Air India & IndiGo)	EU261 / UK261 (EU/UK Departure Rule)	€600 / £520 (~₹55,000) for ≥3h arrival delay	€600 / £520 (~₹55,000) + Re-routing or Refund	€600 / £520 (~₹55,000) immediate payout

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