Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has issued a circular directing all commercial and private airlines operating at the Kingdom's airports to verify that passengers possess the correct travel documents before boarding. The directive, reported by Gulf News, requires carriers to check the latest entry, exit, and transit requirements for every passenger, covering their departure country, final destination, and any intermediate stops.
Airlines Mandated to Source Official Requirements
Under the new guidance, airlines must obtain these requirements through official channels of relevant authorities or through regulations formally approved by those authorities. Carriers are explicitly barred from relying on outdated or unofficial information when confirming document eligibility. This move aims to standardize document checks across all Saudi airports and reduce the risk of passengers being denied entry at their destinations.
GACA has also directed airlines to implement necessary precautions at boarding points, ensuring no passenger departs without holding the full set of documents demanded by their destination country and any transit nations along their route. The authority emphasized that compliance with GACA circulars, orders, and instructions is mandatory, underscoring the regulatory weight of the directive.
Impact on Travellers and Pre-Boarding Checks
The circular places the responsibility firmly on airlines rather than individual passengers at the point of departure. Travellers flying through or out of Saudi Arabia may face tighter pre-boarding checks as a result, particularly those with multi-leg itineraries passing through countries with distinct visa or documentation requirements. Passengers are advised to confirm that their travel documents, including visas, residency permits, and any transit authorisations, meet the requirements of every country on their itinerary before heading to the airport.
This development follows a previous report by Legit.ng that Saudi Arabia clarified rules for the one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa. According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, pilgrims holding this visa cannot simply board a flight to Mecca whenever they choose; they must book an approved service package through a licensed Umrah service provider on the Nusuk platform ahead of each visit.
