Article 28 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 28 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الثاني: الترخيص لشركات الطيران وتشغيلها
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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- لا يجوز لمؤسسات وشركات النقل الجوي أو الطيران الأجنبية إسناد أعمال التمثيل أو الوكالة في المملكة إلا لشركة أو وكالة مرخص لها تتمتع بالجنسية السعودية بعد اعتماد ذلك 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 28 explained in plain English
This article regulates the presence of foreign airlines in the Kingdom, and contains two provisions:
First – a direct office or representation: no foreign air transport or aviation establishment or company may open an office or representation in the Kingdom except:
- after obtaining the necessary license from the Authority.
- and in accordance with the principle of reciprocity, that is, having regard to how the company's home state treats Saudi companies.
Second – assigning representation or agency: if the foreign company wants to entrust representation or agency work in the Kingdom to another party, it may do so only:
- to a licensed company or agency.
- that has Saudi nationality.
- and after the Authority approves it.
The foreign company therefore has two options: an office of its own under a license on a reciprocity basis, or a licensed Saudi agent after the Authority's approval.
This article comes after Article 27 on joint operating agreements and before Article 29, which requires a license for ground handling. Anyone who wants to enter into an agency contract with a foreign airline would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in commercial cases.
Practical example
A new foreign airline wanted to sell its tickets in Riyadh through a local agent. It may assign the agency only to a licensed Saudi company or agency, and after the Authority approves it.
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 28 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Can a foreign airline open an office in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, after obtaining the necessary license from the Authority and in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.
Can the agent of a foreign airline be non-Saudi?
No. Representation or agency work in the Kingdom may be assigned only to a licensed company or agency with Saudi nationality, after the Authority's 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 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 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.