Article 171 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 171 من نظام الطيران المدني · الباب الثاني عشر: العقوبات والجزاءات
The Authority may suspend, for a limited period, or permanently withdraw a flying license or any other license it issued or approved if its holder is sentenced to a criminal penalty or for a crime involving dishonor.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز للهيئة أن تعلق إجازة الطيران أو أي إجازة أخرى صادرة أو معتمدة منها لمدة محدودة، أو تسحبها نهائيا إذا حكم على صاحب الإجازة بعقوبة جنائية، أو في جريمة مخلة بالشرف.
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 171 explained in plain English
This article links the criminal record of a license holder to whether the holder keeps the license.
The power: The Authority may:
- suspend a flying license or any other license it issued or approved, for a limited period; or
- withdraw it permanently.
When? If the license holder is sentenced:
- to a criminal penalty; or
- for a crime involving dishonor.
Notes:
- The rule covers any license issued or approved by the Authority, not only pilots' licenses, so it includes air traffic controllers, maintenance technicians and other license holders.
- The power is discretionary ("may"): a sentence does not automatically lead to suspension or withdrawal; the Authority assesses it.
- A sentence is required; under the text of the article, a mere accusation is not enough.
- The crime need not relate to aviation.
The article does not state the criterion for choosing between suspension and withdrawal, or the length of a suspension.
This article follows Article 170 on the sanction for violating air transport restrictions, and precedes Article 172, which gives the Board of Grievances jurisdiction over crimes violating the provisions of the Law. Someone who has been sentenced and fears for their license, or against whom a decision to suspend or withdraw it was issued, may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases.
Practical example
An aircraft maintenance technician holding a license approved by the Authority was sentenced for a crime involving dishonor unrelated to his work. The Authority may suspend his license for a limited period or withdraw it permanently.
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 171 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Is a pilot's license withdrawn if he receives a criminal sentence?
The Authority may suspend it for a limited period or withdraw it permanently if its holder is sentenced to a criminal penalty or for a crime involving dishonor.
Is suspension or withdrawal automatic after the sentence?
No. The article says "the Authority may," so it is discretionary.
Does the rule cover people other than pilots?
Yes. It covers a flying license or any other license issued or approved by the Authority.
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 153
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.
تطبق على الجرائم والأفعال التي ترتكب ضد أمن وسلامة الطيران المدني والطائرات؛ أحكام المعاهدات والاتفاقيات الدولية بهذا الشأن التي وافقت عليها المملكة وأحكام الأن
- 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
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.