New Airline Regulations: Six Cases Where Passengers May Be Denied Boarding

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Picture courtesy of CAAT.

 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has announced on January 23, new regulations governing passenger rights, limiting the circumstances under which airlines can refuse to transport passengers. These rules, issued by the Civil Aviation Board (CAB) under Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, will come into effect on 19 February 2025.

 

Under the new directive (CAB Regulation No. 104), both Thai and international airlines operating in Thailand may deny boarding to passengers only in the following cases:

 

1. Special Assistance Not Pre-arranged: Passengers requiring special assistance who fail to notify the airline within the specified timeframe. Airlines must demonstrate that all reasonable efforts were made to accommodate the passenger’s needs safely but were ultimately unable to provide the necessary assistance.

 

2. Lack of Travel Documents: Passengers unable to present government-issued identification, travel, or immigration documents to relevant authorities.

 

3. Entry Restrictions: Passengers prohibited from entering the destination country or any transit country as notified by immigration authorities.

 

4. Infants Under 14 Days Old: Airlines can refuse boarding to newborns under 14 days old.

 

5. Unaccompanied Minors: Children under 5 years old traveling without a guardian.

 

6. Pregnancy Restrictions: Pregnant passengers exceeding the gestational limit set by individual airline policies.

 

Additionally, airlines are permitted to refuse transportation of passengers, baggage, or items that passengers decline to be searched or fail security screenings. Denials may also occur due to safety and security concerns, as outlined in the Air Navigation Act B.E. 2497, amended by the Air Navigation Act (No. 14) B.E. 2562, Section 41/133.

 

The regulation aims to protect passenger rights while maintaining high safety and security standards.

 

-- 2025-01-24