Civil Aviation Committee Unveils Passenger Rights

Civil Aviation Committee announces a new passenger rights framework effective September 13, 2025.

The refreshed passenger rights package aims to give travelers stronger protections on both domestic and international routes, focusing on clearer compensation, greater transparency and faster complaint resolution for delays, cancellations and other disruptions.

Under the measures—introduced by the Civil Aviation Committee and due to take effect on September 13, 2025—airlines will be required to publish clearer delay and cancellation policies, improve upfront information at booking and airport touchpoints, and provide more timely updates when operations are disrupted.

What changes passengers can expect

The framework sets minimum standards across several areas: compensation for long delays and cancellations, easier ways to submit and track complaints, and obligations on carriers to be transparent about rebooking and refund options. It covers flights operating on domestic routes as well as international services overseen by the committee.

• Passenger rights: clearer compensation tables, faster refunds, and a defined complaints timeline.
• Transparency: mandatory disclosure of reasons for disruption and available options at booking and at the airport.
• Complaint resolution: timelines for responses, escalation paths and independent review where applicable.

Officials say the rules are intended to reduce confusion and improve consistency across carriers and airports. The committee emphasised enforcement mechanisms intended to make rights meaningful, not just theoretical. Travelers should still check carrier-specific terms, but the baseline protections created by this framework are now standardized.

Practical takeaway: if you fly after September 13, 2025, expect faster access to refunds and clearer explanations when things go wrong. Keep copies of your booking confirmations, take screenshots of on-site notices, and file complaints promptly if you feel the airline hasn’t met the new standards.

Sources

• Civil Aviation Committee announcement (effective September 13, 2025)