Khaleej Times (UAE), 24 August 2023: Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced it has approved new passenger rights protection regulations. The regulations have been issued to strengthen the protections for travellers where there are airline or airport disruptions.

They will come into force on 20 November and cover ticketing, boarding, in-flight services, baggage handling, and helping passengers with special needs, including those with reduced mobility.

Under the changes, compensation provisions have been strengthened and extended. Compensation of between 150 and 200% of the original ticket value could be awarded for flight delays, cancellations, overbooking and unexpected stopovers.

For lost or damaged baggage, travellers could be compensated with approximately 6,568 Saudi Riyals. There are also provisions for unique travel circumstances like the Haj and Umrah pilgrimage.

In these cases, passengers will be able to request the termination of the contract with the air carrier where the flight is delayed for more than two hours.

Also reported in Al Madina on 23 August 2023. Read the full story here.

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