The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia is currently finalizing new regulations to protect the rights of air passengers, including those with physical disabilities and special needs. The proposed regulations prohibit air carriers from asking these passengers to sign waivers of responsibility related to damages or losses that they may suffer with regard to devices for their mobility. The regulations include provisions for compensation worth 200% of the airfare in the event of failure to provide the required travel facilities and services to such passengers.

The regulations also require air carriers to comply with the schedule of the announced flights and inform passengers of any flight delay at least 45 minutes before departure, providing the new timing of departure. The air carrier must update the flight status and any additional delays every 30 minutes. If the flight is delayed while the passenger is staying in accommodation, the air carrier will bear the costs of extending the traveler’s stay until the new travel date.

Passengers have the right to demand termination of the contract and refund of the full value of the ticket in the event of flight departure delays of more than two hours and compensation equivalent to 200% of the ticket value upon contract termination. If the flight delay extends for more than five hours, the passenger has the right to consider the flight canceled and obtain compensation according to the provisions of the cancellation.

In addition, the proposed regulations stipulate compensation for passengers in the event of flight cancellations, delayed or lost baggage, and require air carriers to provide passenger care in case of refusal of boarding, cancelation, or delay of flight service.