Article 33 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 33 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الأول: إنشاء المطارات وإدارتها واستعمالها
Civil airports and landing strips for civil aircraft in the Kingdom may not be established, prepared, used or operated as an investment without the Authority's approval.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز إنشاء وإعداد المطارات المدنية أو المهابط للطائرات المدنية في المملكة، أو استعمالها أو استثمارها؛ إلا بعد الحصول على موافقة 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 33 explained in plain English
This article sets a basic condition for everything relating to civil aviation ground infrastructure. In the Kingdom, with regard to civil airports or landing strips for civil aircraft, it is not permitted to:
- establish them,
- or prepare them,
- or use them,
- or invest in them,
except after obtaining the Authority's approval.
Note how broad the provision is: it is not limited to large airports but also covers landing strips, such as those on farms, resorts or industrial sites if they are for civil aircraft. Nor is it limited to establishment; it extends to use and investment, so whoever wants to operate or invest in an existing landing strip also needs approval.
The article does not set the conditions or procedures for approval. It is followed by Article 34, which treats the airports, facilities and equipment of the Authority as public utilities.
Anyone planning a project that includes a civil landing strip or airport would do well to obtain the Authority's approval before starting, and to consult a lawyer specializing in commercial and administrative cases.
Practical example
An investor owns a tourist resort in a remote area and wants to build a landing strip for small civil aircraft to carry visitors. He may not establish, use or invest in the landing strip until he obtains the Authority's approval.
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 33 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Can a private airstrip be built in Saudi Arabia?
No. Landing strips for civil aircraft may not be established, prepared, used or invested in without the Authority's approval.
Does investing in an airport need the Authority's approval?
Yes. The provision covers using and investing in civil airports and landing strips, not only establishing them.
More articles on Airports and Aviation Security
- Article 34
Airports, facilities, buildings, equipment, wired and wireless stations and beacons belonging to the Authority are public utilities.
تعد المطارات والمنشآت والمباني والأجهزة والمعدات والمحطات السلكية واللاسلكية والمنارات التابعة للهيئة من المرافق العامة .
- Article 35
The Authority manages its airports and supervises their operation, maintenance and working rules, and may license others to do all or part of this without affecting civil aviation security and safety.
مع مراعاة أحكام الفقرة (5) من المادة (السادسة عشرة) من هذا النظام تتولى الهيئة إدارة المطارات التابعة لها والإشراف على تشغيلها وصيانتها ووضع قواعد العمل بها، وي
- Article 36
The Authority determines the types and categories of airports in coordination with the competent bodies.
تحدد الهيئة أنواع المطارات وفئاتها بالتنسيق مع الجهات المختصة.
- Article 37
Aircraft use declared civil airports in line with their rules, and may not land elsewhere except in emergencies and as the Implementing Regulations provide.
تستعمل الطائرات المطارات المدنية المعلن عنها، وعليها مراعاة الضوابط والقواعد الخاصة بذلك. ولا يجوز لها الهبوط في غير هذه المطارات المعلن عنها إلا في الحالات الا
- Article 38
The Authority sets the permitted noise level for aircraft using the Kingdom's airports, and the heights, speeds, engine capacities and other conditions that keep aircraft within that level.
تحدد الهيئة مستوى الضوضاء المسموح بها للطائرات التي تستخدم مطارات المملكة، كما تحدد ارتفاعات وسرعات الطائرات وقدرات محركاتها وخلاف ذلك من الشروط والمواصفات الكف
- Article 39
The Authority, in coordination with the relevant bodies, supervises workers at its airports to ensure compliance with airport rules and the smooth running of work, without prejudice to government bodies' jurisdiction.
مع عدم الإخلال بمباشرة الجهات الحكومية العاملة في المطارات لاختصاصاتها، تشرف الهيئة بالتنسيق مع الجهات ذات العلاقة على العاملين في المطارات التابعة لها وذلك في
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.