RIYADH — The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has issued updated regulations for handling tickets for flights canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The move is aimed at giving the necessary flexibility to travelers, maintaining the highest standards of quality and efficiency in services, and preserving travelers' rights.

A new GACA circular stipulates that air carriers who have canceled any flight due to the COVID-19 pandemic must address the situations of travelers as follows:

First: If the traveler chooses to terminate the contract, the value of the tickets (unused itinerary) will be returned to him according to the method of payment.

Second: In the case of issuing an exchange voucher to the traveler, he then have the choice to either reuse, or redeem it, according to the passenger's desire, without paying any additional amounts, or fees in exchange for re-use, or redemption.

Third: If the passenger accepts to reschedule his flight, this does not entail collecting any additional amounts, or fees if they are on the same itinerary. If the passenger requests a change of itinerary, the air carrier is entitled to collect the fare difference only without adding any other fees for the purpose of rescheduling, or issuing. — SPA