Article 20 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 20 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الأول: سياسات النقل الجوي وتنفيذها
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 استكمال الإجراءات النظامية اللازمة في هذا الخصوص.
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 20 explained in plain English
Air transport rights are the rights that allow airlines to operate flights between or across countries. This article makes dealing in these rights the exclusive preserve of the Authority.
With regard to the Kingdom and any foreign party, it is not permitted to:
- conclude agreements,
- or make arrangements,
- or take procedures,
relating to the exchange or granting of air transport rights, except on two conditions:
- that this be done through the Authority.
- and after completing the necessary legal procedures.
In practice, airlines or any other party cannot negotiate directly with foreign parties to grant or exchange these rights; this must go through the Authority. This provision is consistent with what Article 21 provides next on regulating air mail carriage in accordance with the established postal procedures and the treaties the Kingdom has approved.
The article does not specify what the necessary legal procedures are, so refer to the relevant laws. Anyone who needs to understand the effect of this provision on a commercial agreement can consult a lawyer specializing in international matters and aviation.
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 20 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Can a Saudi airline negotiate air transport rights directly with a foreign country?
No. Agreements or arrangements to exchange or grant air transport rights relating to the Kingdom with any foreign party may only be made through the Authority.
What additional condition applies to making these agreements?
They must be made after completing the necessary legal procedures.
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 18
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.
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
- 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.