PACA issues 66 citations against travel and tourism agencies for legal violations
Al-Rajhi emphasizes the necessity for all licensed market participants to strictly adhere to the laws and circulars regulating the air transport sector, reaffirming that the Authority will not tolerate violations that undermine the rights of the state, travelers, or the stability of Kuwait’s aviation market.
The Complaints and Arbitration Committee of the Public Authority of Civil Aviation (PACA) has issued a total of 66 citations, penalties, and fines against several travel and tourism agencies for breaching the country’s aviation laws and regulatory requirements.
In a statement released on the Authority’s official “X” platform, Abdullah Al-Rajhi, Director of the Air Transport Department and Chairman of the Committee, said that the disciplinary actions included 58 violations against offices that failed to comply with licensing and social media advertising regulations, as well as 8 travel and tourism offices and one airline penalized for breaching PACA circulars related to travel ticket sales and regulations.
Al-Rajhi added that two individuals were referred to the Public Prosecution for violating Article 12 of Decree-Law No. 31 of 1987, which prohibits engaging in civil aviation activities without prior authorization.
He explained that the Committee held its tenth meeting of the year, attended by representatives of various government agencies, to review traveler complaints submitted via the “Sahl” platform against travel offices and operating airlines.
The meeting also examined violations identified through inspection tours and electronic monitoring by the Air Transport Department’s inspection teams, which detected several cases of non-compliance with civil aviation laws and circulars governing Kuwait’s air transport market.
Al-Rajhi urged travelers to avoid dealing with unlicensed agencies, stressing the importance of verifying all travel and hotel booking details, including ticketing terms, conditions, and receipts, to safeguard consumer rights.
He also emphasized the necessity for all licensed market participants to strictly adhere to the laws and circulars regulating the air transport sector, reaffirming that the Authority will not tolerate violations that undermine the rights of the state, travelers, or the stability of Kuwait’s aviation market.
