Article 152 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 152 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الثاني: المسؤولية عن الأضرار التي تسببها الطائرة للغير على سطح الأرض
Subject to the provisions of this Part, every operator of an aircraft operating in the Kingdom's territory must carry insurance to cover its liability for the damage specified by the Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة الأحكام المقررة في هذا الباب؛ يجب على كل مشغل لطائرة تعمل في إقليم المملكة أن يؤمن لتغطية مسؤوليته عن الأضرار التي تحددها اللائحة.
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 152 explained in plain English
This article makes liability insurance an obligation on every aircraft operator operating in the Kingdom, so that the injured person finds someone to pay compensation.
Who is obliged? Every operator of an aircraft operating in the territory of the Kingdom, whether Saudi or foreign, according to the general wording of the text.
What is the obligation? To carry insurance covering its liability for damage.
What damage? The damage specified by the Regulations. The article itself does not specify the types of damage covered or the insurance amounts or conditions, but leaves that to the Implementing Regulations.
Subject to the provisions of this Part: That is, the insurance is understood in light of the liability provisions in the Part, such as the maximum limits of compensation, unlimited liability and cases of exemption.
Practical importance:
- For the injured person: the existence of insurance increases the likelihood of actually receiving compensation.
- For the operator: insurance protects it from large financial consequences that may follow a single accident.
The article does not state the penalty for failing to insure. It follows Article 151, which makes the Board of Grievances the body hearing claims for compensation for aircraft damage on the ground and permits agreement on other courts or arbitration, and precedes Article 153 on applying international treaties to crimes against aviation security. For the detailed insurance requirements, consult the Regulations or a lawyer specializing in civil aviation law.
Practical example
A new company is preparing to operate tourist helicopters in AlUla. Before operating, it must carry insurance to cover its liability for the damage specified by the Regulations, such as damage that may be caused to third parties.
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 152 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Is insurance mandatory for aircraft operators in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Every operator of an aircraft operating in the Kingdom's territory must carry insurance to cover its liability for the damage specified by the Regulations.
What damage must be insured?
The Regulations specify it; the article does not list it in detail.
More articles on Compensation for Damage Caused by Aircraft on the Ground
- Article 66
The article protects anyone who suffers surface damage from an aircraft when it is seized and sold by forced sale: security rights can be asserted against them only up to 80% of the price, unless the damage was insured.
1- إذا تم إجراء البيع الجبري في المملكة ووقع في إقليمها ضرر على السطح من طائرة تم ترتيب أحد الحقوق الواردة في المادة (السادسة والخمسين) من هذا النظام عليها ضمان
- Article 140
For the purposes of the chapter on damage on the surface, an aircraft is in flight from when motive power is first used for actual takeoff until landing; a lighter-than-air aircraft, from when it leaves the ground until it is secured again.
عند تطبيق أحكام هذا الفصل تعد الطائرة في حالة طيران منذ اللحظة التي يبدأ فيها استخدام القوة المحركة لغرض الإقلاع الفعلي حتى اللحظة التي يتم فيها الهبوط، وتبدأ ه
- Article 141
Anyone harmed on the surface in the Kingdom is entitled to compensation from the aircraft operator once it is shown that the damage arose directly from the aircraft in flight or from a person or thing that fell from it, subject to specified exceptions.
1 - لكل من أصيب بضرر على سطح الأرض في إقليم المملكة الحق في الحصول على تعويض من مشغل الطائرة بمجرد ثبوت أن الضرر قد نشأ مباشرة من الطائرة وهي في حالة طيران أو م
- Article 142
The aircraft operator is liable for compensation for surface damage whether it uses the aircraft itself or through its employees and agents, and the owner or lessee in whose name the aircraft is registered is deemed the operator unless it proves someone else is.
1 - يكون مشغل الطائرة مسؤولا عن التعويض المشار إليه في المادة (الحادية والأربعين بعد المائة) من هذا النظام سواء أكان يستعمل الطائرة بنفسه أو بواسطة تابعيه ووكلا
- Article 143
A person entitled to use the aircraft for less than 14 days is jointly liable with the person who authorized the use, and the operator is jointly liable with anyone who used its aircraft without its consent unless it proves it took the necessary care.
1- يكون الشخص الذي له حق استعمال الطائرة لمدة تقل عن أربعة عشر يوما مسؤولا بالتضامن مع الشخص الذي خوله هذا الحق في دفع التعويض عن الأضرار الموجبة للتعويض المشار
- Article 144
The liable person is exempt from compensating surface damage caused by armed conflict or civil disturbance, by being barred from using the aircraft by order of public authorities, or by the injured person's fault; compensation is reduced in proportion to the injured person's contribution.
1- لا يلتزم الشخص المسؤول وفقا لأحكام هذا الفصل بتعويض الضرر الذي يقع في الأحوال الآتية: أ - إذا كان الضرر قد نتج مباشرة عن نزاع مسلح أو لاضطرابات مدنية. ب - إ
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.