Article 25 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 25 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الثاني: الترخيص لشركات الطيران وتشغيلها
National air transport companies may not operate any air route or new aircraft type without the Authority's approval; the Implementing Regulations set the conditions for approval.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب على شركات ومؤسسات النقل الجوي الوطنية عدم تشغيل أي خط جوي أو طراز جديد من الطائرات إلا بعد الحصول على موافقة الهيئة، وتحدد اللائحة شروط الحصول على هذه الموافقة.
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 25 explained in plain English
After Article 24 required an air operator license and the Authority's approval to set up an air transport company, this article adds a further condition relating to operation.
National air transport companies and establishments must not operate:
- any air route,
- or a new aircraft type,
except after obtaining the Authority's approval. The Implementing Regulations set the conditions for obtaining this approval.
This means that a company's license alone is not enough to operate any route it chooses or to bring in aircraft of a type it has not operated before; specific approval for that is required. The evident purpose is to let the Authority verify the company's readiness for each route and each type.
Note that this article addresses national companies. Article 26 after it covers national and foreign companies and requires prior approval before establishing, amending or canceling any route, or changing the number of flights to, from or within the Kingdom.
Anyone who needs to know the conditions for approval should refer to the Implementing Regulations or consult a lawyer specializing in aviation law.
Practical example
A Saudi airline bought aircraft of a type it had not operated before. It may not begin operating this type until it has obtained the Authority's approval under the conditions set by the Implementing Regulations.
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 25 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Does an airline need approval to operate a new aircraft type?
Yes. National companies may not operate a new aircraft type except after the Authority's approval.
Does operating a new air route need approval?
Yes. National companies may not operate any air route except after the Authority's approval, and the Implementing Regulations set its conditions.
More articles on Licensing Airlines and Air Routes
- 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 24
A national company or establishment for commercial air transport or aerial work may not be set up without an air operator license and the Authority's approval, without prejudice to the Companies Law.
مع عدم الإخلال بأحكام نظام الشركات والأنظمة ذات العلاقة؛ لا يجوز إنشاء شركة أو مؤسسة وطنية لممارسة نشاط النقل الجوي التجاري أو الأشغال الجوية داخل المملكة وخارج
- Article 26
National and foreign air transport companies must obtain the Authority's prior approval before establishing, amending or canceling any air route, or changing the number of their flights to, from or within the Kingdom.
على شركات ومؤسسات النقل الجوي الوطنية والأجنبية قبل إنشاء أو تعديل أو إلغاء أي خط من خطوطها الجوية أو تعديل عدد رحلاتها التي تقوم بتشغيلها من المملكة وإليها أو
- Article 27
National airlines may not make operating or joint investment agreements with foreign airlines except under the Implementing Regulations; the Authority may accept or reject them with reasons within 30 days on limited grounds.
1- مع مراعاة أحكام المادة (العشرين) من هذا النظام؛ لا يجوز لمؤسسات أو شركات النقل الجوي الوطنية عقد اتفاقيات أو ترتيبات بينها وبين شركات ومؤسسات النقل الجوي الأ
- Article 28
A foreign airline may not open an office or representation in the Kingdom without the Authority's license on a reciprocity basis, and may assign its representation or agency only to a licensed Saudi company or agency approved by the Authority.
1- لا يجوز لأي مؤسسة أو شركة نقل جوي أو طيران أجنبية فتح مكتب أو تمثيل لها في المملكة إلا بعد الحصول على الترخيص اللازم من الهيئة وفقا لمبدأ المعاملة بالمثل. 2-
- Article 29
Ground handling work for aircraft at the Kingdom's civil airports requires a license from the Authority, which is issued to foreign air transport companies only on a reciprocity basis.
لا يجوز القيام بأعمال الخدمات الأرضية للطائرات في المطارات المدنية للمملكة إلا بعد الحصول على ترخيص بذلك من الهيئة، ولا يتم إصدار هذا الترخيص لمؤسسات أو شركات ا
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.