Which regulation applies?
DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements Section 3 Series M Part VI Section 3 — Denied Boarding
Source: https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/CARS
Source: https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/CARS
Step-by-step: what to do now
- 1 Confirm the denied-boarding scenario IS due to airline overbooking (not your fault — late check-in, expired ID, no-fly list, etc.). Compensation only applies to involuntary denied boarding caused by the airline.
- 2 Get written confirmation from the airline at the gate. The document must state: your name, PNR, original flight, scheduled departure, reason for denied boarding ("flight overbooked"), and the airline staff member's signature.
- 3 Choose your option NOW (don't delay): (a) accept the alternative flight if within 1 hour of original — no compensation, but minimal disruption, OR (b) demand the alternative within 24 hours + ₹10,000 cash + meals + hotel if overnight, OR (c) decline and demand full refund + 400% basic fare compensation (capped ₹20,000).
- 4 If the airline tries to substitute the cash compensation with vouchers/credit, REFUSE. DGCA mandates cash, payable to your bank account within 30 days.
- 5 File an AirSewa complaint within 14 days if the airline withholds compensation. AirSewa has a strong track record on denied-boarding cases — most are resolved within 21 days.
- 6 For loyalty programme bookings (Maharaja Club, IndiGo BluChip Loyalty Points): the compensation calculation uses the equivalent cash fare on the flight, not the points value. Insist on the calculation in writing.
Compensation / refund table
| Scenario | Amount / outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airline arranges alternative within 1 hour | No compensation; no further entitlement | Airline considers this "voluntarily resolved" |
| Alternative within 24 hours (you accept) | ₹10,000 cash + meals (+ hotel if overnight) | Section 3.1.1.b |
| You decline alternative, demand refund | Full refund + 400% basic fare (max ₹20,000) | Section 3.1.1.c — the "punitive" option |
| Voluntary denied boarding (you offered to give up seat for compensation) | Mutually negotiated; no DGCA cap | Airlines pre-board call for volunteers if overbooked |
Time limit: Compensation payment within 30 days of denied boarding. AirSewa complaint: within 14 days. Consumer forum: within 2 years.
HappyFares AeroMessenger can help
HappyFares Aero Messenger sends real-time check-in and gate updates to your travelling companion, so they know immediately if you've been denied boarding and can act on the ground (book replacement, arrange pickup change, alert hotel).
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Can the airline deny boarding if I arrived 30 minutes before departure?
Yes — IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India Express close domestic check-in 45 minutes before; Air India closes 60 minutes before. Late arrival is YOUR fault, not denied-boarding under DGCA, and no compensation is owed.
What if my name doesn't match my ID and I'm denied boarding?
Not denied-boarding under DGCA. ID-mismatch is passenger responsibility. Some airlines allow ≤3-character correction at the airport; major mismatches require a new ticket. See our /travel-problems/name-mismatch-on-ticket page.
Is denied boarding common in India?
Rare but increasing. Most Indian carriers now sell ~103-105% of seats to hedge no-shows. IndiGo and Air India are the most disciplined; smaller carriers occasionally overbook beyond DGCA-acceptable limits.
Can I claim from the credit-card company if the airline refuses?
Yes — credit-card chargeback under "services not rendered" can recover the ticket value. This is independent of the DGCA compensation, which the airline still owes separately.
What's the difference between voluntary and involuntary denied boarding?
Voluntary: you offered to give up your seat in exchange for compensation (often before the gate call). Involuntary: you held a valid boarding pass and the airline refused to let you board. Only involuntary triggers the DGCA mandatory compensation table.