Home Transport Aviation Saudi Arabia: New airline compensation rules come into effect Compensation provisions for flight delays, cancellations, overbooking and unexpected stopovers have been bolstered and extended by Neesha Salian November 22, 2023 Image: Getty Images Passenger rights have received a strong boost with Saudi Arabia’s new passenger protection regulations coming into force from November 20. The regulatory changes, first announced by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in August, cover passenger journeys taken within and from Saudi Arabia. These changes have been enforced to enable “a better travel experience, providing greater support at each stage of the passenger’s journey in the event of travel disruptions”, GACA said in a statement. Passenger protection in place According to the authority, the new rules comprise 30 provisions, covering every stage of the air travel journey: ticketing, boarding, in-flight services, baggage handling and catering to passengers with special needs, including those with reduced mobility. Compensation provisions for flight delays, cancellations, overbooking and unexpected stopovers have been extended. GACA has initiated the ‘Putting Passengers First’ consumer education campaign to educate passengers on their strengthened protections, and the importance of contacting their airline to use their rights in the event of a disruption. If passengers don’t receive an adequate response in seven days from the airline, they can ask GACA to investigate their complaint. Engineer Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Dahmash, the vice president of GACA for Quality and Passenger Experience, said, “Passengers travelling in and from the kingdom have enhanced protections when they are affected by travel disruptions resulting from airline delays. GACA encourages passengers to learn about the strengthened passenger rights communicated through GACA’s ‘Putting Passengers First’ campaign, and to contact their airline when they face a disruption. “These changes reflect GACA’s focus on putting the passenger first, through regulations that create better choice, value and service quality for passengers. By enabling a better travel experience, these regulations support the kingdom’s broader Saudi Aviation Strategy growth agenda.” The new Passenger Rights Protection Regulations in effect from 20 November will improve airline services and enhance efficiencies including areas of greatest concern to passengers flying to, from, and within the Kingdom.#GACA#PuttingPassengersFirst pic.twitter.com/7EXxQSNOMQ — هيئة الطيران المدني (@ksagaca) November 21, 2023 New compensation rules The regulations ensure passengers’ rights to receive proper care, support and compensation, amounting to up to 200 per cent of the ticket value. Travellers will be compensated if a flight departs ahead of schedule or in case of a delay in departure or flight cancellation. Passengers who are deplaned or downgraded due to overbooking can also seek compensation. The compensation could fetch 150 to 200 per cent of the ticket value as stated by the law. Loss of luggage could amount to a financial compensation equivalent to SAR6,568. In cases of damage, defect, or delay of baggage, the passenger can receive financial compensation of up to SAR6,568. Unannounced stopovers also qualify for compensation. The regulations also protect the rights of passengers with disabilities and special requirements, and travellers using charter flights, including Hajj and Umrah flights. In other news, Saudi Arabia’s main carriers Saudia and Riyadh Air inked a strategic cooperation MoU as part of a comprehensive agreement to include codeshare flights. The MOU, the first major agreement between the two airlines, will set the tone for the future of Saudi Arabia’s aviation ecosystem. The partnership will offer many benefits for passengers travelling internationally and domestically within Saudia Arabia, including a broader range of destinations and services. Read: Saudia, Riyadh Air ink landmark deal to boost kingdom’s aviation ecosystem Tags Airlines compensation General Authority of Civil Aviation News Passenger protection Saudi Arabia You might also like Aramco signs multi-year global partnership deal with FIFA Major Schengen visa update for Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and India Marriott to open Ritz-Carlton Reserve in NEOM’s Trojena Saudi Arabia: 320,000 new hotel rooms expected by 2030, reveals report