Article 26 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 26 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الثاني: الترخيص لشركات الطيران وتشغيلها
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 داخلها، الحصول على الموافقة المسبقة من الهيئة.
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 26 explained in plain English
This article imposes prior oversight by the Authority over the network of air routes connected to the Kingdom.
Who is addressed: national and foreign air transport companies and establishments.
Actions that need prior approval:
- Establishing any of their air routes.
- Amending any route.
- Canceling any route.
- Changing the number of flights they operate.
Scope: flights to, from or within the Kingdom.
The condition: obtaining the Authority's prior approval, that is, before taking the step, not after it.
The difference from Article 25 is that Article 25 concerns national companies and the operation of a new route or aircraft type, whereas this article also covers foreign companies and extends to amending, canceling and changing the number of flights. A company may therefore not cancel a route or reduce its flights to and from the Kingdom without prior approval.
It is followed by Article 27, which regulates agreements between national and foreign companies. Anyone planning to restructure their routes can consult a lawyer specializing in aviation law.
Practical example
A foreign airline decided to cut its weekly flights to Medina from seven to three. It must obtain the Authority's prior approval before changing the number of flights.
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 26 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Can an airline cancel a route to Saudi Arabia without approval?
No. National and foreign companies must obtain the Authority's prior approval before canceling any of their routes to, from or within the Kingdom.
Does changing the number of flights need approval?
Yes. Changing the number of flights to, from or within the Kingdom needs the Authority's prior approval.
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 25
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.
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 الموا
- 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.