Article 132 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 132 من نظام الطيران المدني · الباب التاسع: البحث والإنقاذ
Claims arising from search and rescue are not heard after two years from the date the search and rescue ended.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تسمع الدعاوى الناشئة عن البحث والإنقاذ بعد انقضاء سنتين من تاريخ الانتهاء من البحث والإنقاذ .
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 132 explained in plain English
This article sets a time limit for bringing claims relating to search and rescue, in the interest of stability of dealings.
The rule: Claims arising from search and rescue are not heard after two years have passed.
When the period starts: From the date the search and rescue ended, not from the date of the accident. This matters because search operations can last a long time.
Claims covered: Every claim arising from search and rescue, including claims for recovery of expenses, compensation for damage or rewards connected with search and rescue operations under the provisions of this Part.
Meaning of "not heard": After the period passes, the court will not consider the claim. The article does not mention any cases of suspension or interruption of the period.
Practical effect: A person with a right arising from a search and rescue operation should not delay going to court, and should count the two years from the date the operations ended.
This article follows Article 131, which gives the Board of Grievances jurisdiction over claims arising from search and rescue if the accident occurred in the Kingdom, on the high seas or in a place under no state's sovereignty, in specified cases. Anyone whose period is nearing its end should act quickly and consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases and civil aviation.
Practical example
The search for a missing aircraft ended on March 1, 2024, and a private company that took part did not recover its expenses. The company must file its claim before March 1, 2026, or it will not be heard.
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 132 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
What is the time limit for a claim for search and rescue expenses?
Claims arising from search and rescue are not heard after two years from the date the search and rescue ended.
Does the period start from the date of the accident?
No. It starts from the date the search and rescue ended.
More articles on Aviation Accidents and Search and Rescue
- Article 107
The National Transport Safety Center investigates accidents and incidents of civil aircraft in the Kingdom and of Saudi aircraft, and sets the investigation regulations, forms its committees, prepares reports and publishes the results.
1- يتولى المركز التحقيق في الحوادث والوقائع التي تقع للطائرات المدنية في إقليم المملكة وللطائرات السعودية وللطائرات التي يشغلها أشخاص يحملون الجنسية السعودية فو
- Article 108
Local authorities, crew members and pilots who see an accident must report aviation accidents in the Kingdom to the Authority, and the owner or operator must notify of accidents to Saudi aircraft abroad.
1- عند وقوع حادث طيران في إقليم المملكة فإن على السلطات المحلية عند علمها بوقوع الحادث في منطقة اختصاصها وعلى عضو طاقم الطائرة التي وقع لها الحادث إذا سمحت حالت
- Article 109
On learning of an accident to a foreign aircraft in the Kingdom's territory, the Center must notify the State of registry, the State of the operator, the State of design and of manufacture, any State affected, and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
مع مراعاة أحكام الملحق (13) لمعاهدة شيكاغو بشأن التحقيق في حوادث الطائرات ؛ يقوم المركز بعد علمه بوقوع حادث لطائرة أجنبية في إقليم المملكة بالإبلاغ عنه في أقرب
- Article 110
On an aviation accident, local authorities must keep the aircraft from flying, preserve it and its wreckage, and not move it except for specified reasons until the investigation committee arrives.
على السلطات المحلية عند وقوع حادث طيران في منطقة اختصاصها أن تمنع الطائرة عن الطيران وأن تحافظ عليها وعلى أجزائها وجميع موجوداتها أو حطامها، وعدم تحريكها من موض
- Article 111
The board of directors decides whether to conduct an investigation into aviation accidents in the Kingdom or over the high seas involving a Saudi aircraft, or a foreign one operated by a Saudi, or not to proceed with it; the Regulations set the committees' powers.
يقرر مجلس الإدارة عند وقوع حادث طيران في إقليم المملكة أو فوق أعالي البحار أو فوق الأراضي غير المملوكة لإحدى الدول لطائرة سعودية أو لطائرة أجنبية يشغلها سعودي؛
- Article 112
The article allows the Center to ask States and bodies set by the Regulations for representatives to take part as observers in investigating accidents of Saudi aircraft, and gives the States concerned a right of representation for foreign aircraft accidents.
1- عند وقوع حادث لطائرة سعودية أو لطائرة أجنبية يشغلها سعودي في إقليم المملكة أو فوق أعالي البحار أو فوق أراض غير مملوكة لدولة ما؛ يجوز للمركز أن يطلب من الدول
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.