What are Your Passenger Rights Under GACA Regulations

Flight disruptions are among the worst experiences for air travelers, especially when they involve long delays, cancellations, or even being denied boarding. To provide certain protections to passengers, individual nations and supranational unions introduce laws and regulations like Saudi Arabia’s updated GACA Regulations from 2023. 

These rules outline what travelers are entitled to when their flights don’t go as planned, including compensation, refunds, and care standards. Our experts have outlined the key points of the regulation and how much compensation you can claim depending on the severity of the disruption. 

What are GACA Regulations?

Enforced by the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia, the GACA Regulations outline the general passenger rights and protections in cases of flight disruptions. They apply to both domestic and international flights under certain conditions and establish:

• Compensation for flight delays and cancellations, including refund options.
• Passenger rights in cases of denied boarding due to overbooking.
• Compensation for downgrading to a lower travel class.
• Standards of care such as meals, refreshments, accommodation, and transport during disruptions.
• Specific rules for tarmac delays, allowing passengers to disembark after extended waiting periods.

What are your rights under Saudi GACA Regulations?

Flight delays

Delays happen daily, and while anyone would prefer not to wait for hours, extended waiting times can lead to compensation. 

• Saudi Arabia flight delay compensation becomes available as soon as the delay extends 3 hours.

• If the delay exceeds 2 hours, you can cancel your ticket and receive a full refund.
• If the delay exceeds 5 hours, the flight is treated as a cancellation, giving you access to additional cancellation rights.

Tarmac delays: You must be allowed to disembark if your aircraft is stuck on the tarmac for more than 3 hours. At this point, you are allowed to also treat the situation as a cancellation, which triggers your refund and compensation rights.

Flight cancellations

Passengers affected by flight cancellations are entitled to either a refund of the full ticket value or an alternative flight to their destination. The compensation for cancellations depends on when the airline notifies you, ensuring a minimum of 50% of the value of your unused ticket. 

However, accepting an alternative flight usually invalidates your cancellation compensation rights. The only scenario that includes compensation will be if your new flight arrives late. 

Denied boarding

While overbooking is a rare occurrence, airlines sometimes sell more tickets than there are seats available. And when more people arrive than the plane accommodates, some passengers may get denied boarding. 

Here’s what to consider if you get denied boarding and the GACA Regulations apply to your original flight:

• If you accept an alternative route, the airline must cover any fare difference, and you may still claim delay compensation if applicable.
• If you reject boarding and cancel your trip, you’re entitled to a full refund and additional monetary compensation. 
• No compensation applies if the alternative flight departs within 2 hours of the original and the arrival delay is under 3 hours.

Downgrading

You are entitled to a refund of 50% of the price difference if the airline assigns you to a lower class than the one you originally paid for and you decide to take the downgraded seat. 

However, if you choose not to travel and instead cancel your booking, the airline must refund the unused portion of your ticket. You will also be owed compensation equal to 200% of that amount. 

What flights are eligible for compensation under Saudi Arabian regulations?

The scope of the GACA passenger rights is straightforward and applies to:

1. All flights departing from Saudi airports, regardless of whether the carrier is Saudi or foreign.
2. Flights arriving in Saudi Arabia when operated by a Saudi-licensed airline.

Passenger rights under GACA are universal for travelers of all ages, nationalities, and countries of residence. The ticket class also holds no meaning, and you must be treated equally regardless of whether you are flying in economy or business class. All you need is a confirmed reservation and to check in on time for your flight. 

How much compensation can you claim under GACA Regulations?

Compensation amounts under the Saudi GACA Regulations depend on the type of disruption: flight delays, cancellations, or denied boarding. Below is a breakdown of each.

Flight delay compensation in Saudi Arabia

Important: If the delay exceeds 2 hours, you may cancel and request a full refund. If the delay exceeds 5 hours, the flight is treated as cancelled, which triggers cancellation compensation rights.

Compensation for cancellations

Flight cancellation compensation depends on the timing of the official notification and can bring you the following amounts: 

• 60-14 days before departure → 50% of unused ticket value + refund.
• 14 days-24 hours before departure → 75% of unused ticket value + refund.
• Less than 24 hours before departure → 150% of unused ticket value + refund.

Compensation for denied boarding (bumping)

Here are the three possible scenarios if you are denied boarding because of overbooking or other reasons within the airline’s control:

• If you accept an alternative flight → the airline must cover any fare difference, plus you may receive delay compensation if applicable.
• If you refuse boarding and cancel your trip → a full refund of unused ticket value + 200% of that value as compensation.
• You are owed no compensation if the airline provides an alternative flight departing within 2 hours and arriving with less than a 3-hour delay compared to the original schedule.

What flights aren’t eligible for compensation under Saudi Regulations?

Not all disruptions qualify for compensation. The Saudi GACA Regulations exclude cases caused by extraordinary circumstances, which are events outside the airline’s control. The most common ones include:

• Severe weather conditions
• Political instability or security risks such as armed conflicts or terrorist threats
• Medical emergencies onboard that require an unscheduled landing
• Air traffic control restrictions or airport closures
• Wildlife strikes (e.g., bird strikes)
• Manufacturing defects identified by the aircraft manufacturer or aviation authority.

How long do you have to submit a claim for compensation under GACA Regulations?

The GACA Regulations do not impose time limitations for compensation claims, but you can refer to Saudi Arabian law, which dictates a 3-year limit from the date of the flight. However, it is advisable you take action as soon as possible after the disruption. The faster you submit your claim, the easier it is to prove eligibility and secure your compensation.

Additionally, your disruption may trigger eligibility for compensation per other international regulations like the EU Regulation EC 261/2004. Make sure to check the time limits for other regulations separately, as the deadlines vary depending on the country of origin. 

Other rights under GACA Regulations

Beyond financial compensation, the GACA Regulations provide additional protections to reduce inconvenience while traveling. 

Right to care 

Airlines must provide free assistance during flight disruptions, and the standard for your right to care depends on the waiting time and the nature of the disruption:

• 2–3 hours delay → Hot and cold drinks
• 3–5 hours delay → Drinks, plus a meal appropriate to the time of day
• 5+ hours delay → Meals, additional drinks, and light snacks
• Overnight delays → Hotel accommodation and transportation between the airport and hotel

Expert Tip: Always request care directly from the airline staff. If they refuse or fail to provide assistance, keep receipts for meals, hotels, or transport, as you may claim reimbursement later.

Additional rights for passengers with restricted mobility or special needs

The regulation places special emphasis on passengers with reduced mobility, their companions, and unaccompanied minors. Airlines must:

• Prioritize assistance for boarding, seating, and deplaning.
• Provide suitable accommodation during long delays or cancellations.
• Ensure staff are trained to support passengers with special needs.
• Cover costs of accessible transportation if rerouted to a different airport serving the same city or region.

How to claim compensation under GACA Regulations?

Even though the law guarantees your passenger rights, airlines don’t always make the process straightforward. At SkyRefund, we simplify the claim process into just four steps:

1. Check your eligibility: Enter your flight details on our website to see if your case qualifies under GACA rules.
2. Submit your claim through SkyRefund: Upload your booking confirmation, boarding pass, and any documents related to the disruption through our online form.
3. Let our experts handle the airline: Our legal and aviation specialists negotiate directly with the airline and, if necessary, escalate the case in court.
4. Receive your compensation: Once approved, your compensation is paid directly to you. With our no-win, no-fee model, you only pay if we win your case.

Why choose SkyRefund?

Dealing with the Saudi GACA Regulations can be confusing and time-consuming for inexperienced travelers, especially when airlines dispute claims or delay processing. At SkyRefund, we combine legal expertise with aviation industry knowledge to make the process stress-free. 

With over 8 years of experience, a 98% success rate, and support in over 12 languages, we’ve helped more than 1 million passengers worldwide claim what they’re rightfully owed. With no upfront costs, our service is risk-free: if you don’t get paid, neither do we. Submit your compensation claim today!