What CAA says on rights of passengers with disabilities

Muscat: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the Sultanate of Oman recently issued regulations for the protection of air passenger rights, which also covers the rights of those with disabilities and special needs passengers.

Article 47 of the regulations states that the air carrier must be committed to announcing its policy and procedures regarding the carriage of passengers with disabilities and special needs on its website.

Article 48 states that a passenger with disabilities and special-needs passengers must disclose to the air carrier his condition and the necessary devices and equipment when creating the reservation.

Article 49 states that the air carrier is prohibited from requiring a passenger with disabilities and special-needs passengers to sign any waivers of their rights or services due to them under the provisions of these regulations.

Article 50 states that the air carrier is obliged to allow passengers with disabilities and special needs passengers to carry the devices and equipment necessary for movement under the contract of carriage.

If the passenger has service animals, he must obtain prior approval from the air carrier to carry the animal.

Article 51 states that the air carrier is obligated to ensure that the devices and equipment that assist movement arrive with the disabled or special-needs passenger, and in the event of their damage or loss, they will be compensated for at the equivalent value.

Article 52 states that the air carrier is obligated to secure a replacement seat immediately if the wheelchair does not arrive on the same flight and compensate the passenger by what is stipulated in Chapter Four of these regulations.

Article 53 states that If the air carrier fails to fulfill its obligation to provide an alternative flight for a passenger with disabilities and special passenger or fails to provide the necessary services stipulated in this chapter, the passenger shall be compensated with the equivalent of 200% of the total value of the ticket.