Article 45 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 45 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الثالث: حماية المطارات والطائرات والتجهيزات الملاحية
Air mail and parcels sent by air must be searched if there is doubt that they contain items that may threaten aircraft safety in flight or prohibited items, subject to Articles 21 and 44.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة المادة (الحادية والعشرين) والمادة (الرابعة والأربعين) من هذا النظام؛ يجب تفتيش البريد الجوي أو الطرود المرسلة عن طريق الجو إذا ما قام شك في احتوائها على مواد قد تهدد سلامة الطائرة أثناء الطيران أو تشتمل على مواد محظورة أو محرمة وفقا للأنظمة المطبقة في المملكة.
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 45 explained in plain English
This article completes the air security framework by regulating the search of mail and parcels. It requires the search of air mail or parcels sent by air in two cases:
- If there is doubt that they contain items that may threaten the safety of the aircraft in flight.
- Or if there is doubt that they include prohibited or forbidden items under the laws applied in the Kingdom.
The search here is mandatory, not optional, but it is tied to the existence of doubt.
The article applies subject to two articles:
- Article 21: which does not permit letters or postal parcels to be carried by aircraft to or from the Kingdom except under the postal procedures established in the Kingdom and the postal treaties it has approved, and does not permit them to be carried unless received under those procedures.
- Article 44: under which the Authority, with the competent authorities, takes charge of maintaining security at airports and ensuring aircraft safety, including searching passengers suspected of carrying dangerous items.
This means that mail is searched within the lawful postal procedures and within the airport security framework. The article does not specify which body carries out the search or its procedures. Anyone facing accountability over the contents of a parcel can consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
An air parcel arrived at Riyadh airport, and the initial screening showed grounds to doubt that it contained an explosive substance. The parcel must be searched because there is doubt that it contains items that may threaten the safety of the aircraft, subject to the established postal procedures.
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 45 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
When must air parcels be searched?
If there is doubt that they contain items that may threaten the safety of the aircraft in flight or items that are prohibited or forbidden under the laws applied in the Kingdom.
Is air mail searched in Saudi Arabia?
Air mail must be searched when there is doubt, subject to Articles 21 and 44 of the law.
Articles this article refers to
- Article 21
Mail and parcels may not be carried by aircraft to or from the Kingdom except under the established postal procedures and the postal treaties the Kingdom has approved, and only after being received under those procedures.
1- لا يجوز نقل أي رسائل أو طرود بريدية بالطائرات من المملكة وإليها إلا وفقا للإجراءات البريدية المقررة في المملكة وأحكام المعاهدات الدولية المتعلقة بالبريد التي
- Article 44
The Authority, with the other competent authorities, enforces the rules and takes necessary measures to keep airports secure and aircraft and navigation aids safe, including restricting access, verifying identities and searching suspect passengers.
مع مراعاة ما تقرره الأنظمة في هذا الخصوص تقوم الهيئة بالاشتراك مع السلطات المختصة الأخرى بتنفيذ الأنظمة والتعليمات واتخاذ ما تراه ضروريا لحفظ الأمن بمطارات المم
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 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
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.