Decoding your air ticket: Here's how much you can save after cap on cancellation charges

The recent development of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is deciding whether to put a cap on cancellation charges levied by airline below the base airfare, comes as good news for fliers.

Flight cancellation charges of airlines can be extremely high and range Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,250 depending upon the number of days before the booking is called, according to a dna report.

For example, last year one of the leading carriers had three slabs for flight cancellation charges - Rs 1,250 for cancellations up to 30 days before flight; Rs 1,500 for cancellation from 30 days to a week before departure and Rs 2,000 for a week before flight time.

At times passengers don't end up getting any refund on cancellation of tickets as there are various tax components including airport tax.

Here is an estimated break-up of the flight ticket including the taxes and cancellation charge:

Base Fare: Rs 500

Passenger Service Fees: Rs 146 (fixed fees)

User Development Fees: 664

Service Tax: (@15%) Rs 75

Fuel Surcharge: Rs 1,100-Rs 3,000

Congestion Surcharge: Rs 150 (per Sector)

Convenience Fees: Rs 50

Total: Rs 2,685 – Rs 4,585

Cancellation charges: Rs 1,900- Rs 2,250

Amount after cancellation charges: Rs 785 - Rs 2,335