Article 37 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 37 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الأول: إنشاء المطارات وإدارتها واستعمالها
Aircraft use declared civil airports in line with their rules, and may not land elsewhere except in emergencies and as the Implementing Regulations provide.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 الاضطرارية ووفقا لما تحدده اللائحة.
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 37 explained in plain English
This article regulates where aircraft land and their use of airports, and has three provisions:
- The basic use: aircraft use declared civil airports.
- Compliance with the rules: aircraft must observe the rules and regulations on the use of those airports.
- A ban on landing elsewhere: an aircraft may not land anywhere other than the declared airports, except:
- in emergencies,
- and as the Implementing Regulations provide.
The exception here is limited: it is not enough for the pilot to want to land somewhere else; the situation must be an emergency, and it must take place in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. The article does not define an emergency or state the procedures that follow an emergency landing, so refer to the Implementing Regulations.
This article comes after Article 36, under which the Authority determines airport types and categories, and before Article 38, under which the Authority determines the permitted noise level for aircraft using the Kingdom's airports. Anyone facing accountability over a landing outside the declared airports can consult a lawyer specializing in aviation law.
Practical example
During a small aircraft's flight between two cities, a sudden engine failure forced the pilot to land on flat ground far from any airport. This landing is permitted because it was in an emergency, provided it takes place as the Implementing Regulations set.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentGeneral Practice lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
General Practice lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Abdullah Al-Saleh Law Office for Law and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 37 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Can an aircraft land outside an airport?
An aircraft may not land anywhere other than the declared civil airports except in emergencies and as the Implementing Regulations provide.
What must aircraft do when using airports?
They must observe the rules and regulations on using the declared civil airports.
More articles on Airports and Aviation Security
- Article 33
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.
لا يجوز إنشاء وإعداد المطارات المدنية أو المهابط للطائرات المدنية في المملكة، أو استعمالها أو استثمارها؛ إلا بعد الحصول على موافقة من الهيئة.
- 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 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.