Updated 18 October 2026 · Best Versions team · اقرأ بالعربية
Rule one: the law follows the departure airport or the airline
There is no single law for the whole world. What usually decides your rights is where your flight departed from, and the airline's nationality if you were flying into that country. So two flights on the same route can differ: one qualifies for compensation and the other doesn't.
Sultanate of Oman
Oman's Civil Aviation Authority applies a passenger rights regulation that covers:
- All flights departing from Omani airports, whatever the airline.
- Flights arriving in Oman on Omani carriers such as Oman Air, unless you received compensation under the law of the departure country.
For international flights, when a flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure, delayed by more than 6 hours, or you are denied boarding, compensation depends on distance:
| Flight distance | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | OMR 108 |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km | OMR 173 |
| Over 3,500 km | OMR 260 |
Compensation can be halved if the replacement flight arrives close to the original time, and there is none in extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or security risks, but care (meals, and a hotel for long delays) is still your right. Official details on the Oman Civil Aviation Authority website.
Saudi Arabia
The passenger rights regulation of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) covers flights departing from Saudi Arabia on any airline, flights arriving there on Saudi carriers, and domestic flights. The key points:
- Delays: compensation for delays of 3 to 6 hours and more after 6 hours, and you may cancel and get a full refund if the delay exceeds two hours.
- Cancellations: a full ticket refund, plus compensation of up to 150% of the ticket value if you were told less than 24 hours before.
- Baggage: compensation for delayed or lost luggage.
- Deadlines: complain to the airline within 60 days, and if it doesn't reply within 14 days you can escalate to the authority.
Official reference: GACA's "Know your rights" guide.
Europe (EU Regulation EC 261)
If you fly to or through Europe, EU law covers every flight departing from an EU airport on any airline, and flights arriving in the EU on a European airline. Compensation applies when you arrive 3 hours or more late or the flight is cancelled less than 14 days ahead:
| Flight distance | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 km | EUR 250 |
| 1,500 to 3,500 km | EUR 400 |
| Over 3,500 km | EUR 600 (can be halved in some cases) |
Example: a flight from London to Dubai on any airline that arrives 4 hours late because of a technical fault may be worth EUR 600 per passenger.
When are you not owed compensation?
- Extraordinary circumstances: severe weather, airspace closures, security risks, airport strikes.
- If you were told about the cancellation 14 days or more in advance (in Oman and Europe).
- If the replacement flight arrives very close to the original time.
Technical faults, crew shortages and overbooking are usually not extraordinary circumstances, and they are the most common reasons for compensation.
How to claim, step by step
- Keep the evidence: boarding pass, booking, photos of the departure board, and food and hotel receipts.
- Ask for the reason in writing from the airline staff.
- Ask for care straight away: meals, a hotel and transport are your right during a long wait.
- Submit the claim to the airline directly, or through a specialist company that handles it for a share of the compensation if it succeeds.
- Escalate to the authority if the airline doesn't reply within the deadline.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Amounts and conditions can change, and the official text of each authority is the final reference. Sources: Oman Civil Aviation Authority, Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation, EU Regulation 261/2004, and AirHelp summaries.
Was one of your flights delayed or cancelled recently?
Check your eligibility for compensation for free: AirHelp. You pay nothing unless the claim succeeds, and the company only takes a share of the compensation.
And before your next trip: travel insurance from EKTA covering delays, baggage and medical care.
Partner links: the claim and payment are handled by the partner directly.
Frequently asked questions
Am I owed compensation if my flight from Muscat was delayed?
Often yes, if it was delayed more than 6 hours or cancelled less than 14 days ahead, and the cause wasn't an extraordinary circumstance. For international flights it is OMR 108 to 260 depending on distance.
How much is flight delay compensation in Saudi Arabia?
GACA's regulation sets compensation for delays from 3 hours and more after 6 hours, and for cancellations notified less than 24 hours ahead up to 150% of the ticket value plus a refund.
Are flights from Dubai to Europe covered by EU law?
Only if the airline is European. The return flight from Europe to Dubai is covered on any airline.
Do I pay anything to check my eligibility?
Checking with claim companies such as AirHelp is free, and they take a share only if the claim succeeds. You can also claim directly from the airline yourself.
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