Article 106 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 106 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الثاني: العمليات الجوية
The article prohibits piloting an aircraft or working as a crew member while under the influence of an intoxicant, drug or impairing medication, and prohibits taking any of them throughout the period of work.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحظر على أي شخص أن يقود طائرة أو أن يعمل كأحد أفراد طاقمها ما دام تحت تأثير مسكر أو مخدر أو دواء يؤدي إلى إضعاف مقدرته على القيام بواجباته على الوجه الأكمل، وفي كل الأحوال يحظر عليه تناول أي شيء من ذلك طوال فترة عمله.
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 106 explained in plain English
This article sets a strict prohibition concerning the fitness of those who pilot an aircraft or work in its crew.
First prohibition: No person may pilot an aircraft or work as one of its crew members while under the influence of:
- an intoxicant; or
- a drug; or
- a medication that impairs their ability to perform their duties to the fullest.
Note that the prohibition covers lawful medications if they impair ability: what counts is the effect on performing duties, not the lawfulness of the substance.
Second prohibition: In all cases they are prohibited from taking any of these throughout the period of their work. Taking it is itself prohibited during the period of work, even if its effect has not yet appeared.
Difference from Article 105: Article 105 prohibits any person from boarding an aircraft if they show signs of intoxication or drugs, whereas this article concerns those who pilot the aircraft or work in its crew, adds medication that impairs ability, and prohibits taking these during the period of work.
Practical effect: A pilot or flight attendant who takes a medication that may cause drowsiness or poor concentration must not work while under its influence. The article does not set the penalty or the testing procedures. Anyone facing liability in this matter may consult a lawyer specializing in civil aviation law or criminal matters.
Practical example
A first officer takes a cold medicine whose box says it causes drowsiness, and his flight is a few hours away. He may not work on the flight while under the influence of a medication that impairs his ability to perform his duties to the fullest.
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 106 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
May a pilot work after taking a medication that causes drowsiness?
No. It is prohibited to work in an aircraft crew while under the influence of a medication that impairs the ability to perform duties to the fullest.
Is taking an intoxicant during the work period prohibited even if no effect appears?
Yes. In all cases the aircraft commander and crew members are prohibited from taking any of these throughout the period of work.
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
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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
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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.