Air Passenger Rights Regulations in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, as one of the busiest air travel hubs, not only in the Middle East but also in the world, has a set of regulations in place to protect air passenger rights. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is the government agency responsible for enforcing these regulations and ensuring airline compliance. Recognizing the crucial role of air travel in the economy and the importance of passengers’ satisfaction, these regulations aim to enhance the air travel experience and address any issues passengers may face, such as compensation for flight delays, flight cancellations, denied boarding, baggage mishandlings, etc.

Core Passenger Protections in Saudi Arabia

In terms of specific protections, Saudi Arabia’s air passenger rights regulations provide extensive protections for passengers. For instance, if a flight is delayed for over four hours, passengers are entitled to compensation of 300 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) in addition to a refund or alternate travel arrangements. Also, in cases of denied boarding due to oversales, passengers are entitled to compensation based on the duration of the delay they encounter. On the other hand, if a flight is cancelled less than 12 hours before its scheduled time, passengers are entitled to a refund plus 300 SDRs compensation or rerouting on next available flight along with provided meals, communication and accommodation necessities as needed. Moreover, if the airline lost or damaged a passenger’s baggage, the passenger is entitled up to 1,288 SDRs as compensation.

How to File Complaints and Seek Compensation

In case of being affected by such circumstances, passengers should remember that airlines are expected to immediately provide them with written information about their rights and how to claim compensation or assistance. If a passenger believes an airline has violated their rights, they should first contact the airline directly. If there is no satisfactory resolution, complaints should then be filed with GACA’s consumer protection division, either through their website or by visiting one of their offices in Saudi Arabia. Passengers can also contact GACA’s call center for further guidance. It’s also worth mentioning that GACA can impose hefty fines on airlines if they fail to comply with the passenger rights regulations, which highlights the seriousness with which Saudi Arabia takes these rights.

Ultimately, when you are familiar with air passenger rights and believe you may be entitled to delayed or cancelled flight compensation, find out which best flight compensation companies can help you. You may also fill out the claim form and one of the agencies will check your flight and take your case.