Your Rights

GACA Regulation Saudi Arabia

 

What are Your Passenger Rights Under GACA Regulations in Saudi Arabia

 

Flight disruptions can be stressful, especially when you are far from home or traveling on a tight schedule. Saudi Arabia’s Passenger Rights Protection Regulations, issued by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), were designed to protect you in these situations. 

Whether your flight is delayed, cancelled, overbooked, or downgraded, these rules set out exactly what you are entitled to and what the airline must provide.

This guide explains your rights clearly and simply, so you know what compensation you can claim, when you’re eligible, and how to take action if your journey is disrupted.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS OF SAUDI ARABIA'S GACA

  • The GACA Regulations protect your rights when traveling from, to, or within Saudi Arabia.
  • Amounts range from 50–150 SDR (€61 - €183 / £52 - £156) for delays to as much as 200% of the unused ticket value for denied boarding or downgrading.
  • Eligibility applies when your flight is delayed, cancelled, overbooked, downgraded, or held on the tarmac beyond the allowed limits.
  • In case of long waiting times, you’re entitled to additional care—meals, accommodation, and communication must be provided during long delays or tarmac waits.
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What are GACA Regulations?

The Passenger Rights Protection Regulations, issued by GACA, establish the legal framework that airlines must follow when operating in Saudi Arabia. 

These rules guarantee that passengers receive fair treatment and appropriate compensation whenever their travel plans are disrupted. They cover delays, cancellations, denied boarding, downgrading, baggage issues, refunds, care obligations, and more, ensuring airlines are accountable to clear and transparent rules.

 The regulations apply broadly: to all flights departing any Saudi airport and to flights arriving in the kingdom when operated by Saudi-licensed carriers. 

 

What are your rights under Saudi GACA Regulations?

This section explains each of your protections under the GACA rules. It covers delays, tarmac delays, cancellations, denied boarding, and downgrading, so you can quickly identify which rights apply to your situation.

 

Flight delays (including tarmac delays)

When your flight is delayed, GACA sets out specific compensation amounts based on your actual arrival time. These rules protect you whether the delay happens before takeoff or after landing.

Under GACA - Passenger Rights Protection Regulations Art. 10º, you are entitled to:

  • 50 SDR (€61 / £52) for arrival delays of 3 - 6 hours
  • 150 SDR (€183 / £156) for delays of 6+ hours
  • A full refund if the delay exceeds 2 hours
  • The right to treat the flight as cancelled if the delay exceeds 5 hours

For delays on the ground, GACA - Passenger Rights Protection Regulations Art. 11º adds further protection:

  • After 3 hours of tarmac delay, you may choose to disembark.
  • If you disembark, you may ask for the flight to be treated as cancelled.
  • Airlines must provide toilets, ventilation, drinking water, and a way to contact people outside the aircraft.

You can also learn more about global flight delay compensation rules in our dedicated guide.

 

Flight cancellations

A cancellation can disrupt holiday plans, business trips, or family commitments. Under GACA rules, you have clear entitlements that depend on how much notice the airline gives.

If your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to:

  • A full refund of the ticket price and related fees
  • Cancelled flight compensation according to the notice period
  • Care and support while waiting for an alternative flight

Here are the compensation levels:

Notice period Cancellation compensation
14 – 60 days before departure 50% of unused ticket value
14 days – 24 hours 75%
Less than 24 hours 150%

 

If you accept an alternative flight, you will not receive cancellation compensation, but you may still be eligible for flight delay compensation if the replacement arrives late.

 

Denied boarding (overbooking)

Flight overbooking is a common airline practice, but passengers must be protected if there are not enough seats. Under GACA rules, denied boarding can entitle you to significant compensation. If you are denied boarding involuntarily, you may be entitled to:

  • A full refund of the unused ticket value
  • 200% compensation of the unused value if you refuse re-routing
  • Care and support at the airport
  • Overbooked flight compensation
  • Denied boarding compensation

No compensation applies only when:

  • The alternative flight departs within 2 hours, and
  • The arrival delay is under 3 hours

Priority is always given to passengers with special needs, minors, and first-degree relatives.

 

Downgrading

If the airline places you in a lower class than the one you booked, the law guarantees compensation. Under GACA - Passenger Rights Protection Regulations Art. 14º:

  • If you accept the downgrade, you receive 50% of the fare difference
  • If you refuse, refund + 200% of the unused ticket value

 

Map of the eligible flights for compensation under Saudi Arabia's GACA

What Flights Are Eligible for Compensation Under Saudi Regulations?

According to GACA - Passenger Rights Protection Regulations Art. 3º, the regulations apply broadly to flights connected to Saudi Arabia.

Eligible category Rule Example routes
Flights departing Saudi Arabia All airlines Riyadh → London / Jeddah → Cairo
Flights arriving in Saudi Arabia Only Saudi-licensed carriers Bahrain → Riyadh (SAUDIA)

 

How Much Compensation Can You Claim Under GACA Regulations?

Here we break down each type of compensation (delays, cancellations, and denied boarding) with tables and conversions in SDR, EUR, and GBP to help you.

 

Flight delay compensation (arrival delay)

As mentioned previously, there’s different compensation according to the flight delay time.

 

Delay duration Compensation (SDR) Approx. EUR (€) Approx. GBP (£)
3 – 6 hours 50 SDR €61 £52
6+ hours 150 SDR €183 £156

 

The compensation depends on the case and, of course, the presented documents.

Compensation for cancellations

Under GACA - Passenger Rights Protection Regulations Art. 12º, you may receive:

  • 50% of the unused ticket value (60–14 days’ notice)
  • 75% (14 days–24 hours)
  • 150% (less than 24 hours’ notice)
  • A full refund of the unused ticket value

These rules help ensure fair treatment even when plans change unexpectedly. You can also explore more about global cancelled flight compensation in our dedicated resource.

Compensation for denied boarding

Denied boarding can be one of the most frustrating disruptions, but GACA provides strong protection. You are entitled to:

  • Denied boarding compensation
  • Overbooked flight compensation
  • Up to 200% of the unused ticket value if you reject re-routing

Remember to keep all the flight documents with you to prove your case.

What Flights Aren’t Eligible for Compensation?

Not every disruption triggers compensation. This section highlights the exceptions so you know where compensation does not apply. 

Under GACA - Passenger Rights Protection Regulations Art. 20º, extraordinary circumstances exclude compensation. These include:

  • Severe weather
  • Security threats
  • Air traffic control restrictions
  • Natural disasters
  • Other force of circumstances events confirmed by GACA

However, airlines must still provide care and support under Art. 17º, even in extraordinary circumstances.

 

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

GACA requires airlines to process refunds or compensation within 15 days of receiving your request. The law does not specify a strict statute of limitations, but it is advisable to submit your claim promptly while records remain accessible.

 

Other Rights Under GACA Regulations

This section explains additional protections, including your entitlement to meals, accommodation, communication, and support for passengers with restricted mobility.

 

Right to care (Art. 17º)

You are entitled to:

  • Drinks and refreshments from the beginning of the delay
  • A meal after 3 hours
  • Hotel accommodation and transport after 6 hours
  • Communication assistance when needed

If the airline fails to provide care, you can claim:

  • 10 SDR (approx. €12 / £10) for missing refreshments
  • 30 SDR (approx. €37 / £31) for missing meals
  • 100 SDR (approx. €122 / £104) for missing hotel accommodation and transport

Learn more about care and assistance rules under international air rights.

 

Rights for passengers with special needs

Passengers with restricted mobility receive enhanced protections, including:

  • Priority boarding and disembarkation
  • Free transport of mobility devices
  • Compensation for damaged mobility equipment
  • 200% compensation if denied boarding

These safeguards ensure that passengers receive adequate support throughout the delay, regardless of the underlying cause.

 

How to Claim Compensation Under GACA Regulations

This section guides you through the process of submitting a claim, either through the airline or through a service like SkyRefund.

 

1. Claim through the airline

You can contact the airline directly, submit documentation, and wait for their response. This can work smoothly, but airlines may dispute your eligibility or delay responses.

 

2. Use a service like SkyRefund

If you prefer a fast and hassle-free process, SkyRefund’s aviation law experts can manage everything for you. 

Start by using our free compensation calculator to find out if you’re eligible. Claim through SkyRefund in 4 simple steps:

  1. Check your compensation eligibility
  2. Submit your claim for compensation and upload your ticket
  3. Our aviation law experts handle the airline and regulatory communication
  4. You receive your compensation, with no win, no fee

Why choose SkyRefund?

We use a combination of legal expertise, 8+ years of experience, and a global network of aviation specialists to ensure your claim is handled efficiently. 

With our no win, no fee approach, you only pay if we succeed, making the process simple, transparent, and risk-free.