Booked your flight through a travel agent? Airlines still owe you a refund

Airlines remain responsible for processing refunds even when a ticket was purchased through a travel agent or online booking portal, since such agents act as the airline’s appointed representatives, according to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules covering weather-related flight disruptions.

Heavy rain is treated as a force majeure event, meaning airlines are generally not required to pay monetary compensation for delays or cancellations it causes. However, passengers retain the right to a full refund of the ticket fare or an alternative flight if their journey is cancelled due to weather, depending on availability and preference.

DGCA rules require airlines to complete the refund process within 14 working days. During prolonged delays, carriers may also need to provide meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation for overnight stays, and airport-to-hotel transport where applicable.

To claim a refund, passengers should submit a request through the airline’s website, app or customer service, or through the same travel agent or platform used for booking. If an airline fails to process the refund, passengers can escalate the matter through the airline’s grievance mechanism, the AirSewa portal, or a consumer dispute redressal commission.