Article 14 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 14 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الثالث: أحكام عامة للطيران
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 الطائرة أو معداتها، أو ارتكاب أي عمل من شأنه تعريض سلامة الطائرة أو هيئة قيادتها أو ركابها للخطر.
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 14 explained in plain English
This article protects the safety of the flight from the conduct of people on or around the aircraft. It contains three prohibitions:
- Interfering with or obstructing the flight crew: any person not officially authorized is prohibited from interfering with the work of any member of the flight crew or obstructing him from his work during the period of flight.
- Tampering with the aircraft: any person is prohibited from tampering with any part of the aircraft or its equipment.
- Endangering safety: any person is prohibited from committing any act that would endanger the safety of the aircraft, its flight crew or its passengers.
Note the difference in wording: the first prohibition is limited to unauthorized persons and to the period of flight, while tampering and endangering safety are prohibited for any person without that limitation in the text.
This article does not state the penalty; penalties are regulated by other provisions of the law. Anyone accused of violating these prohibitions would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
It comes after Article 13 on aerial photography, and both protect the safety and security of aviation in the Kingdom's territory.
Practical example
During a flight from Riyadh to Jeddah, a passenger tried to enter the cockpit and argue with the pilot about the flight delay. This is interference by an unauthorized person with the work of the flight crew during the period of flight, and it is prohibited 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.
How we write and review contentCriminal Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Criminal Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 14 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Is a passenger who interferes with the pilot's work punished?
The article prohibits any person not officially authorized from interfering with or obstructing the flight crew during flight; penalties are regulated by other provisions of the law.
Is tampering with aircraft equipment prohibited?
Yes. Any person is prohibited from tampering with any part of the aircraft or its equipment.
More articles on Air Operations and Flight Safety
- 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
- Article 99
The operator of a civil aircraft registered in the Kingdom engaged in air transport or aerial work must observe the Law's provisions wherever the aircraft is, unless they conflict with the laws of the States where it operates.
مع مراعاة أحكام المادة (الرابعة) من هذا النظام؛ يجب على مشغل أي طائرة مدنية مسجلة في المملكة وتعمل في النقل الجوي أو الأشغال الجوية أن يراعي في تشغيلها أينما كا
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.