News

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) participated in a panel discussion titled “Inclusive Tourism for Persons with Disabilities in the Kingdom”, held as part of the High-Level Conference on “Accessible Tourism for Persons with Disabilities.” The event is organized by the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with the League of Arab States, from 12–13 November 2025 in Riyadh, with the participation of leading experts and decision-makers in tourism, transport, and inclusive services.

During the session, GACA’s Executive Vice President for Quality and Customer Experience, Eng. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Dahmash, explained that the Authority has adopted an integrated regulatory framework based on the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its executive regulations. This framework aims to enhance the travel experience of passengers with disabilities by providing inclusive services and facilities that support their independence and dignity, while obligating all air service providers to comply with relevant regulations and circulars.

He noted that GACA has aligned this regulatory framework with the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities to ensure unified standards and full coordination among all concerned entities—contributing to a more inclusive, accessible, and seamless travel experience for all segments of society.

Eng. Al-Dahmash added that GACA operates under a system of regulations and national programs dedicated to strengthening the rights of persons with disabilities in air transport. These include the Passenger Rights Protection Regulation, the National Program for Air Transport Facilitation, the National Aviation Security Program, and the executive regulations governing aviation safety. He also highlighted that GACA applies a comprehensive airport service quality assessment program, which includes specific criteria for measuring and improving the experience of travelers with disabilities. Under this program, the best-performing airport in serving this group is honored each year, encouraging healthy competition and elevating overall service quality.

He further explained that GACA provides travelers with six diverse, round-the-clock communication channels for submitting complaints and inquiries, including the visual sign-language call service launched to support the needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing—enhancing communication accessibility and promoting an inclusive travel environment.

The Executive Vice President for Quality and Customer Experience affirmed that GACA continues, through its regulatory and supervisory role, to monitor the commitment of airports across the Kingdom to the standards of universal accessibility. These efforts are guided by the simplified manual issued by the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities, which outlines precise technical specifications to ensure that airport facilities are fully prepared to accommodate all passengers and provide a safe, accessible travel experience that meets diverse needs.