#FYI - All pax travelling to/from Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom is embracing a passenger-first approach with GACA's revised Passenger Rights Protection Regulations. Here’s a quick overview (without getting into the pros and cons) of your entitlements if your flight is cancelled, overbooked, or delayed - spanning care, support, and compensation.

Highlights

Baggage Protection:
Passengers are entitled to compensation for lost, delayed, or damaged baggage, with specified compensation in SDRs.

Flight Cancellations:
Clear compensation guidelines based on notification time, including refunds and additional compensation up to 150% of the remaining flight value.

Flight Delays:
Passengers have the right to refreshments, meals, and accommodation based on the length of the delay.

Compensation for delays exceeding 3 hours (50 SDRs) and 6 hours (150 SDRs).

Denied Boarding:
Air carriers must provide alternatives or compensate passengers if denied boarding due to overbooking.

Priority given to passengers with disabilities, minors, and accompanying relatives.

Special Needs Accommodations:
Passengers with disabilities are guaranteed free transport of wheelchairs and mobility aids, along with compensation for mishandling.

Flight Downgrades:
Refunds for fare differences and additional compensation of up to 50% of the price difference.

Tarmac Delays:
Air carriers are required to provide basic amenities (food, beverages, communication access) and allow disembarkation if delays exceed 3 hours.

Complaint Mechanisms:
Passengers can file complaints against air carriers within 60 days of the incident, and carriers must address them within 7 days.

This is a positive pivot in supporting the goals of enhancing customer experience and building trust in the Kingdom’s aviation ecosystem.

(1 SDR = ~5.1 SAR)
Special Drawing Rights (SDR) - The unit value is subject to change