The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has explained that air carriers do not have the right to refuse boarding people with special needs after tickets have been issued. GACA stressed that if a carrier does not provide appropriate flight, or does not provide the necessary services stipulated in the Executive Regulations for Customers Protection, then the client shall be compensated with 200 percent of the total value of the ticket if the special need status of the client was disclosed before the booking was completed. GACA aims through these procedures to assist and facilitate travel for those with special needs and overcome all obstacles facing them. This comes through GACA commitment to introduce the Executive Regulations for Customers Protection, under the slogan "Your Rights are Protected". GACA went on to state that travelers with special needs ought to know the following awareness procedures before traveling: the importance of providing full information of the service they need in advance of their traveling. This in addition to notifying the airliner 48 hours in advance in case special service, or special equipment is needed, provided that those services are available on that particular flight (medical lift, wheel chair, ventilators with electric hook up on board the aircraft, the usage of hazardous material for the wheelchair battery, or therapeutic oxygen for use on the aircraft). Concerning the rights and privileges enjoyed by the beneficiaries with special needs at the Kingdom's airports, GACA noted that special equipment used by special needs clients is not counted within the baggage limit. Moreover, in case of the inability of storing the device in the passenger compartment as portable luggage, it can be stored in the luggage cargo at no additional charge. The airliner must receive and return the assistive device in the same condition as it has been received. Meanwhile, GACA stated that air carriers must take into account the need of customers with special needs for no additional charges. Those services include providing wheelchairs and clear signage at the airports during boarding and disembarking. This in addition to informing the clients in case of cancellation, delays, or change of flight routes. The carriers must also provide them with special care they need, and needed compensations within the reegulations. This action was taken within the directive of GACA that aims to introduce the public to the Executive Regulation of Customers Protection, which is specifically geared toward protecting the client rights under the slogan "Your Rights are Protected". Furthermore, GACA is making efforts to enhance transparency and pay special attention to people with special needs. GACA has allocated a customer protection account on Twitter (@GACACare), in addition to GACA's main Twitter account (@Ksagaca). An exclusive telephone number was also dedicated to serve the traveling public and users of Saudi airports. — SG
