Article 153 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 153 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الأول: تحديد الجرائم والأفعال
The provisions of the international treaties and conventions the Kingdom has approved, and the laws applied in the Kingdom, apply to crimes and acts committed against the security and safety of civil aviation and aircraft.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تطبق على الجرائم والأفعال التي ترتكب ضد أمن وسلامة الطيران المدني والطائرات؛ أحكام المعاهدات والاتفاقيات الدولية بهذا الشأن التي وافقت عليها المملكة وأحكام الأنظمة المطبقة في المملكة.
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 153 explained in plain English
This article sets out the legal framework governing crimes and acts directed against the security and safety of civil aviation.
Its scope: crimes and acts committed against:
- the security and safety of civil aviation; and
- aircraft.
The rules that apply:
- the provisions of the international treaties and conventions on this subject that the Kingdom has approved; and
- the provisions of the laws applied in the Kingdom.
Why it matters: Aviation crimes are often international in character: they may be committed on a foreign aircraft or in international airspace, or the offender may be a foreigner. International treaties unify the handling of these crimes among states. The article combines these treaties with national laws.
What the article does not specify: It does not name the treaties, set penalties, or say how to resolve a conflict between the treaties and the laws.
Relation to neighboring articles: It is followed by Article 154, which specifies the acts that are crimes, such as violence against a person on board an aircraft in flight if likely to endanger its safety, destroying an aircraft in service, communicating false information that endangers its safety, and seizing the aircraft. It comes after Article 152 on the operator's insurance to cover its liability. Anyone facing an accusation relating to aviation security should consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
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 153 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
What law applies to aviation crimes in Saudi Arabia?
The provisions of the international treaties and conventions on this subject that the Kingdom has approved, and the laws applied in the Kingdom.
Does this article set penalties for aviation crimes?
No. It sets only the applicable legal framework, without mentioning penalties.
More articles on Aviation Security Offenses and Penalties
- 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 19
The owner or operator of an aircraft registered in the Kingdom may not offer or sell alcohol, narcotics or prohibited items on board; arrivals may not possess them, and no aircraft may carry them into the Kingdom.
1 - يحظر على مالك أي طائرة مسجلة في المملكة، أو مشغلها أن يقدم أو يبيع لأي شخص على متنها أي مشروبات كحولية ، أو مواد مخدرة ، أو أي مواد محظور دخولها إلى المملكة
- Article 105
The article prohibits anyone from boarding an aircraft if they show signs of intoxication or drug use.
يحظر على أي شخص ركوب الطائرة إذا كانت تبدو عليه علامات السكر أو المخدر.
- Article 106
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.
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
- Article 154
The article specifies the acts that are crimes against aviation security, such as violence on board an aircraft, destroying it, giving false information, seizing it, assaults at airports, assaulting crew, harassment and theft.
1- يُعد مرتبكًا لجريمة أي شخص يشرع في ارتكاب أو يرتكب عمدا ودون حق مشروع فعلا من الأفعال الآتية أو يشارك شخصا آخر يشرع أو يرتكب هذا الفعل: أ - أن يقوم بعمل من أ
- Article 155
A person who smokes on board a civil aircraft or in its lavatory, tampers with safety devices, operates portable devices when prohibited, or refuses to sit or fasten the seat belt commits a violation.
يعد مخالفا كل من يقوم بارتكاب أحد الأفعال الآتية على متن طائرة مدنية : أ - عدم الامتناع عن التدخين، أو التدخين في دورة المياه أو في مكان آخر. ب - العبث بجهاز ال
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.