Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority enforces 15-day refunds, imposes strict penalties after complaints hearing
Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority enforces Circular 2026/12, imposing penalties and mandating ticket and hotel refunds within 15 working days after its sixth complaints hearing.
The Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority held its sixth Complaints and Arbitration Committee meeting for 2026 on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and issued tightened enforcement measures to protect passengers. The authority announced severe penalties for travel agents and airlines found in violation of aviation market regulations and required full compliance with refund rules. The committee also reiterated the need for timely processing of ticket and hotel refund requests under Circular 2026/12.
Committee meeting reviews complaints and inspection findings
The Complaints and Arbitration Committee convened to review complaints submitted by air transport customers and violations identified by market inspectors. Committee members examined referrals and debated appropriate legal actions for entities that breached the authority’s regulations.
Hamad Al-Aradah, the committee rapporteur, said the panel considered the outcomes of recent inspection tours to verify market practices. He emphasized that each case would be adjudicated individually with penalties applied where laws and circulars were violated.
Enforcement of Circular 2026/12 on refunds
The authority made explicit that Circular 2026/12 must be implemented without delay, mandating refunds for booked tickets and hotel reservations within 15 working days. This directive aims to standardize refund handling across travel agencies and carriers operating in Kuwait.
The committee ordered market participants to cooperate with travelers seeking refunds and warned that non-compliance would attract heightened sanctions. The measure is framed as a passenger-rights protection step and a move to expedite financial restitution for affected customers.
Sanctions and legal measures against violators
Following the meeting, the committee imposed strict penalties on individuals and entities found to have contravened aviation market laws and the authority’s circulars. The decisions included disciplinary and legal measures intended to deter repeat offenses and ensure regulatory conformity.
Officials did not disclose financial values or specific sanction details but noted that penalties would be escalated for persistent non-compliance. The committee’s actions reflect an increased regulatory focus on enforcement and accountability within the sector.
Chair stresses zero tolerance and coordinated compliance
The committee chair underscored the necessity for all market actors to adhere fully to laws, regulations and circulars governing the air transport market in Kuwait. The chair warned against any leniency toward breaches and highlighted the protection of passenger rights as a central priority.
Market participants were urged to work closely with travelers to process refunds promptly and transparently. The authority signaled that those failing to respect Circular 2026/12 would face not only fines but potentially stricter administrative measures.
Ongoing investigations and future hearings
The meeting resolved several cases and announced that remaining complaints would be addressed in forthcoming periodic sessions. The committee indicated that investigations and inspection follow-ups would continue to monitor compliance across the market.
Officials said the regulatory body will maintain regular oversight and that additional sanctions could follow depending on the findings of subsequent inspections. The authority’s approach suggests sustained enforcement activity through the remainder of 2026.
The authority’s decision to enforce 15-working-day refunds and penalize violators reflects a broader push to uphold consumer protections in Kuwait’s aviation market. Travelers, travel agencies and carriers have been put on notice that adherence to Circular 2026/12 and related regulations is now subject to intensified scrutiny and legal consequence.