Saudia's Aviation Authority to compensate for lost luggage

Riyadh: Saudia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has introduced new regulations regarding passengers' rights, including a compensation plan for lost luggage.

Under these rules, passengers who experience missing belongings will be eligible for compensation ranging up to 6,568 Saudi Riyals (over 500,000 Pakistani Rupees).

GACA has released a statement announcing the implementation of these new regulations, effective from November 20, 2023.

These regulations outline provisions for passenger care, assistance, and compensation.

As per the updated guidelines, if a flight is delayed by more than 6 hours, passengers will be entitled to receive 750 Riyals in cash.

Furthermore, the responsibilities for food, accommodation, and transportation arrangements during delays will now rest with the airline.

In case of flight cancellations, passengers will be required to pay a 150% penalty of the ticket price.

The rate of compensation will be determined based on the time of notification of flight cancellation to the passenger.

The new regulations also state that passengers who refuse to board the plane will be required to pay 200% of the ticket price, and a reduction in seat category will incur a compensation fee of up to 200%.

Additionally, for non-scheduled station stops, passengers will be entitled to a compensation of 500 Riyals per station.

For disabled passengers denied boarding onto the plane, a compensation fee of 200% of the ticket price will be charged.

Even the absence of a wheelchair provision will lead to a compensation fee of 500 Riyals.