Article 18 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 18 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الأول: سياسات النقل الجوي وتنفيذها
No foreign operator may carry passengers, goods or mail for pay between two points in the Kingdom, unless the Authority permits it for exceptional or special circumstances or to complete an international flight.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة أحكام نظام الاستثمار الأجنبي، لا يجوز لأي مشغل أجنبي نقل الركاب أو البضائع أو البريد بأجر أو بمقابل بين نقطتين واقعتين في إقليم المملكة. ومع ذلك يجوز للهيئة التصريح بمثل هذا النقل لمواجهة الظروف الاستثنائية ، أو الخاصة، أو لاستكمال رحلة دولية قادمة من الخارج.
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 18 explained in plain English
This article protects domestic air transport in the Kingdom, providing that no foreign operator may carry passengers, goods or mail for pay or consideration between two points located in the territory of the Kingdom.
The elements of the prohibition are:
- The operator is foreign.
- The carriage is for pay or consideration.
- It is between two points within the territory, such as Riyadh and Jeddah.
The exception: the Authority may permit such carriage in three cases:
- To meet exceptional circumstances.
- Or special circumstances.
- Or to complete an international flight coming from abroad.
The provision applies subject to the provisions of the Foreign Investment Law, so it does not override what that law provides. The text does not set out the details of those provisions here.
This article comes after Article 17 on inspecting companies' offices and before Article 19, which prohibits alcoholic drinks and narcotics on aircraft. Anyone planning foreign air transport activity in the Kingdom would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in foreign investment and aviation law.
Practical example
A foreign airline operates a flight from abroad to Riyadh and wanted to carry passengers for pay from Riyadh to Dammam on the next leg of the flight. This is not allowed unless the Authority permits it, for example to complete an international flight coming from abroad.
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 18 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Can a foreign airline operate domestic flights in Saudi Arabia?
As a rule, no foreign operator may carry for pay between two points in the Kingdom. The Authority may permit it for exceptional or special circumstances or to complete an international flight coming from abroad.
Does the prohibition cover goods and mail?
Yes. It covers carrying passengers, goods or mail for pay or consideration.
More articles on Air Transport Policy and the Authority's Powers
- Article 15
The Board of Directors sets the general air transport policies of the Kingdom, and its chairman, or his delegate, represents the Kingdom before states and organizations on the matter.
يحدد مجلس الإدارة السياسات العامة للنقل الجوي في المملكة ويتولى رئيسه - أو من يفوضه - تمثيل المملكة في علاقاتها مع الدول والمنظمات الدولية والإقليمية في هذا الخ
- Article 16
The Authority regulates, monitors and develops the air transport sector and applies its policies, with powers including negotiating agreements, issuing and suspending licenses, setting fees, approving tariffs and inspecting carriers.
تقوم الهيئة بتنظيم قطاع النقل الجوي ومراقبته وتطويره وتنشيطه وتطبيق السياسات العامة للنقل الجوي في المملكة، ولها في سبيل ذلك القيام بممارسة الاختصاصات الآتية: 1
- Article 17
Authorized representatives of the Authority may enter the offices of air carriers, cargo and ground handling companies to inspect them, review documents and seize those that violate the law, licenses or the Authority's instructions.
1- لممثلي الهيئة المخولين حق الدخول إلى مكاتب وأماكن شركات ومؤسسات النقل الجوي الوطنية والأجنبية وشركات ووكالات الشحن الجوي والخدمات الأرضية للطائرات للتفتيش عل
- Article 20
No agreements, arrangements or procedures to exchange or grant air transport rights relating to the Kingdom may be made with any foreign party except through the Authority and after completing the legal procedures.
لا يجوز عقد اتفاقيات، أو إجراء ترتيبات، أو اتخاذ إجراءات تتعلق بتبادل أو منح حقوق النقل الجوي التي تتعلق بالمملكة مع أي جهة أجنبية إلا بواسطة الهيئة وبعد استكما
- Article 22
National and foreign air carriers must pay the civil aviation fees and charges due on their domestic and international operations and flights at the levels set in the Civil Aviation Tariff Law and its regulations.
يجب على مؤسسات وشركات النقل الجوي والطيران الوطنية والأجنبية دفع رسوم وأجور الطيران المدني التي تستحق عن عملياتها ورحلاتها الجوية الداخلية والخارجية وفق المستوي
- Article 23
Owners and operators of aircraft operating in the Kingdom and all air transport, cargo and ground handling companies must carry out all instructions issued by the Authority.
على مالك أو مشغل أي طائرة تعمل في المملكة وجميع مؤسسات وشركات النقل الجوي والطيران الوطنية والأجنبية وشركات ووكالات الشحن الجوي والخدمات الأرضية للطائرات تنفيذ
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.