Article 105 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 105 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الثاني: العمليات الجوية
The article prohibits anyone from boarding an aircraft if they show signs of intoxication or drug use.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحظر على أي شخص ركوب الطائرة إذا كانت تبدو عليه علامات السكر أو المخدر.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 105 explained in plain English
This is a short and decisive article: no person may board an aircraft if they show signs of intoxication or drug use.
Elements of the rule:
- "Any person": The prohibition is general and covers everyone who wants to board the aircraft.
- "Show signs": The test is outward appearance and visible signs; the text does not require laboratory proof or a particular test before refusal.
- "Intoxication or drugs": It covers both states.
- "Boarding the aircraft": The prohibition concerns getting on board.
The rationale: A person under the influence of an intoxicant or drug may endanger the safety of the flight and those on board, or be unable to follow safety instructions in an emergency, or cause disturbance and danger to the crew and passengers.
What the article does not say: The article does not name the body that decides on refusal, nor its procedures, nor the penalty for violation, so one looks to the other articles of the Law and its Regulations.
This article follows Article 104, which requires the operator to take measures to brief passengers on safety requirements, and precedes Article 106, which prohibits the aircraft commander and crew members from working under the influence of an intoxicant, drug or medication that impairs their ability. Anyone refused boarding who believes the refusal was unjustified may consult a lawyer specializing in civil aviation law.
Practical example
A passenger arrives at the boarding gate at Jeddah airport clearly showing signs of drug use, with unsteadiness and disturbed speech. He is prohibited from boarding the aircraft under this article.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 105 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Can a passenger be refused boarding if they appear intoxicated?
Yes. No person may board an aircraft if they show signs of intoxication or drug use.
Is a medical test required to refuse a passenger?
The article ties the prohibition to the appearance of signs and does not mention any requirement for a particular test.
More articles on Air Operations and Flight Safety
- Article 14
Unauthorized persons may not interfere with or obstruct the flight crew during flight, and no one may tamper with the aircraft or endanger its safety, its crew or its passengers.
يحظر على أي شخص غير مخول رسميا أن يتدخل في أعمال أي عضو من أعضاء هيئة القيادة أو يعوقه عن عمله أثناء فترة الطيران ، كما يحظر على أي شخص العبث بأي جزء من أجزاء ا
- Article 85
No aircraft may operate in the Kingdom's territory on an international flight unless it carries the documents and records required by the Chicago Convention and its annexes and any others the Authority specifies.
لا يجوز لأي طائرة أن تعمل في إقليم المملكة أثناء رحلة دولية إلا إذا كانت تحمل الوثائق والسجلات الواجب حملها طبقًا لأحكام معاهدة شيكاغو ملاحقها وأي وثائق أو سجلا
- Article 86
No operator may begin operating its aircraft before the Authority approves the operations specifications it prepares, which form part of its license and are binding.
لا يجوز لأي مشغل أن يبدأ في تشغيل طائرته إلا بعد اعتماد الهيئة لمواصفات التشغيل المعدة من قبل المشغل ، وتعد جزءًا من الترخيص الممنوح له، وتكون واجبة التطبيق، ول
- Article 87
The operator must prepare an operations manual for each aircraft it operates, including the operations specifications, for pilots and operations staff to use as guidance, and have the Authority approve it.
على المشغل أن يعد دليلا للعمليات ولكل طائرة يشغلها متضمنا مواصفات التشغيل ليستعمله ويسترشد به الطيارون وموظفو العمليات واعتماده من الهيئة وفقًا لما تحدده اللائح
- Article 88
An operator may not run a new air route or extend an existing one before one or more preparatory flights with no passengers except those needed to operate the aircraft; mail and goods may be carried, and the Authority may exempt.
لا يجوز للمشغل تشغيل أي خط جوي جديد أو مد خط قائم قبل إجراء رحلة، أو رحلات تمهيدية ، ولا يجوز له فيها حمل أشخاص عدا الأشخاص اللازمين لتشغيل الطائرة ، ويجوز له ح
- Article 98
The article sets the scope of the air operations part: Saudi aircraft operators, Saudi operators using foreign aircraft, and foreign operators inside the territory, as well as the people they employ and those on board.
مع مراعاة أحكام المادة (الثالثة) من هذا النظام تطبق الأحكام الواردة في هذا الباب على الآتي: 1 - العمليات الجوية التي يقوم بها مشغل طائرة مدنية مسجلة في المملكة
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.