The General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca) in Saudi Arabia has unveiled new regulations aimed at enhancing the rights of air passengers. These regulations are set to be implemented from November 20 and will encompass various aspects of air travel, including ticketing, boarding, in-flight services, baggage handling, and provisions for passengers with special needs, especially those with reduced mobility.
Enhanced Compensation Provisions: The updated regulations have fortified the compensation provisions, addressing issues such as flight delays, cancellations, overbooking, and unexpected layovers. In certain scenarios, compensations could escalate to 150-200% of the original ticket price. Furthermore, in cases of lost or damaged luggage, travelers might receive compensation amounting to approximately 6,568 Saudi riyals (equivalent to Dh6,432).
Special Provisions for Haj and Umrah Travel: The new regulations also take into account unique travel situations, particularly the Haj and Umrah charter flights. If a flight is delayed for more than 2 hours, passengers have the right to terminate their contract with the airline.
Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Dahmash, the vice-president of Gaca, commented on the new regulations, emphasizing Gaca’s commitment to prioritizing passengers by ensuring enhanced service quality. He stated that these regulations not only support passengers affected by travel disruptions but also align with the broader growth objectives of the Saudi Aviation Strategy.
Future Growth Objectives: These regulations play a pivotal role in achieving the growth objectives of the Saudi aviation sector. The goals include tripling the number of passengers to 330 million annually and connecting Saudi Arabia to over 250 global destinations by the year 2030.
