Short answer: when a flight from Hyderabad is delayed or cancelled, what the airline owes you depends on how long the delay is and why it happened. Meals come first, then alternative flights or refunds, and a hotel in specific cases. Fog and weather count as outside the airline’s control, so compensation is usually not due. Here is the detail and a plan for a night disruption.
The rules that apply
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation sets passenger rights in CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV. The version we read is Revision 4 of January 2023. The key points are summarised below; check the DGCA document or your airline for your exact ticket.
| Situation | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Delay of 2 to 4 hours or more (depending on flight length) | Free meals and refreshments in relation to the waiting time, if you checked in on time |
| Delay of more than 6 hours (domestic) | Alternative flight within 6 hours, or a full refund (where the revised time was told to you more than 24 hours before departure) |
| Delay of more than 24 hours, or more than 6 hours for a flight scheduled between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. | Hotel accommodation with transfers, where necessary |
| Cancellation with less than 24 hours’ notice | Alternative flight or refund, plus compensation of up to Rs 5,000, Rs 7,500 or Rs 10,000 depending on flight length (or the basic fare plus fuel charge if lower) |
| Cancellation with 24 hours to two weeks’ notice | Alternative flight or refund, no compensation |
| Weather, air traffic control, security and similar causes | Extraordinary circumstances: compensation and some facilities are not due |
A hotel is not promised for every night delay. The numeric trigger applies to delays, and the text has no numeric hotel trigger for cancellations. In practice airlines often help, but do not assume it.
Fog at Hyderabad
Fog is a winter problem. A study of fog events at the airport between 2014 and 2019 counted 74, with 26 in December. Dense fog has caused diversions and cancellations on several winter mornings. We would not tell anyone to avoid winter flying, but if you have a fixed deadline, avoid the earliest flights in December and January and keep a buffer day.
Monsoon rain
Heavy rain between June and October also causes delays and diversions, and the rules treat weather the same way as fog. Check your airline app before leaving for the airport.
If your flight is cancelled at night
- Join the airline desk queue, and rebook on the airline app at the same time; the app is often faster.
- Ask what the airline will provide: meals, a rebooked flight, a refund, a hotel. Ask for it in writing or by message.
- Keep every receipt for food, transport and accommodation you pay for.
- If you decide to go to a hotel, call ahead and confirm the room and pick-up. Ours is about 8 km by road, with a 24-hour reception.
- If the airline does not respond, complain to the airline first, then on the AirSewa portal and app.
Our tip. Message the hotel from the queue, not after it. By the time you reach the desk we can usually tell you which room and pick-up we can arrange.
Where to stay while you wait
If you will wait more than a few hours, a hotel nearby is better than the departure hall. Read our overnight stay guide and, for planning timings, how early to reach Hyderabad airport.
Useful links
Quick answers
When must an airline give me meals for a delay in India?
Under DGCA CAR Section 3, Series M, Part IV, meals and refreshments are due when the expected delay is at least 2 hours for flights of up to 2.5 hours block time, 3 hours for flights over 2.5 up to 5 hours, and 4 hours for other flights.
When am I owed a hotel room?
The rules mention hotel accommodation when necessary, specifically when a delay exceeds 24 hours, or exceeds 6 hours for flights scheduled between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Is compensation paid for fog or bad weather?
Generally no. The rules exempt extraordinary circumstances such as weather, so compensation is usually not due, although airlines may still offer meals or help.
When does fog affect Hyderabad airport?
Mostly from December to early February. A study of 2014 to 2019 data counted 74 fog events at the airport, 26 of them in December.
Where do I complain if the airline does not help?
Start with the airline, then use the AirSewa portal and app run by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Stuck between flights?
Call ahead and we will tell you what room and pick-up we can arrange tonight.