Article 51 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 51 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الأول: تسجيل الطائرات
The Authority maintains the Saudi National Register for Aircraft Registration, whose contents and registration conditions are set by the Implementing Regulations; a registered aircraft has the Kingdom's nationality.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تعد الهيئة سجلا لتسجيل الطائرات المدنية الوطنية يسمى ( السجل السعودي الوطني لتسجيل الطائرات )، وتحدد اللائحة البيانات التي يجب أن يتضمنها السجل والشروط الواجب توافرها لتسجيل الطائرات فيه.
2- للهيئة أن تسمح لغيرها بالاطلاع على بيانات السجل وفقا للشروط التي تحددها.
3- تتمتع كل طائرة يتم تسجيلها في السجل بجنسية المملكة وعليها أن تحمل علامات جنسيتها وتسجيلها وفقا للقواعد التي توضحها 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 51 explained in plain English
This article creates the official tool for registering national aircraft, and has three paragraphs:
- Creating the register: the Authority prepares a register for registering national civil aircraft called the "Saudi National Register for Aircraft Registration". The Implementing Regulations set:
- The data the register must contain.
- The conditions for registering aircraft in it.
- Access to the register: the Authority may allow others to view the register's data according to the conditions it sets. Access is not an absolute right but is subject to the Authority's permission and conditions.
- Effect of registration: every aircraft registered in the register has the nationality of the Kingdom, and must carry its nationality and registration marks according to the rules set out in the Implementing Regulations.
Registration is what gives the aircraft Saudi nationality, and it is then subject to the provisions that apply to national aircraft. This is linked to Article 50, under which the Authority determines the nationality and registration marks of national aircraft in accordance with international rules.
It is followed by Article 52, which regulates the issuing of registration certificates. Anyone who wants to register an aircraft can refer to the Implementing Regulations or consult a lawyer specializing in aviation law.
Practical example
A Saudi company bought a new aircraft and registered it in the Saudi National Register for Aircraft Registration after meeting the conditions of the Implementing Regulations. The aircraft thereby has the Kingdom's nationality, and must carry its nationality and registration marks according to the rules set out in the Implementing Regulations.
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 51 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
How does an aircraft get Saudi nationality?
Every aircraft registered in the Saudi National Register for Aircraft Registration has the nationality of the Kingdom.
Can the Saudi aircraft register be viewed?
The Authority may allow others to view the register's data according to the conditions it sets.
What are the conditions for registering an aircraft in Saudi Arabia?
The Implementing Regulations set them, as well as the data the register must contain.
More articles on Registering Aircraft and Rights Over Them
- Article 49
No civil aircraft may fly in the Kingdom's territory without its nationality and registration marks; the Authority may permit an unregistered aircraft to fly or land for technical testing or other purposes.
لا يجوز لأي طائرة مدنية أن تطير في إقليم المملكة ما لم تكن تحمل علامة جنسيتها وتسجيلها طبقا لنظام دولة التسجيل ، أو سلطة تسجيل العلامة العامة ، ومع ذلك يجوز لله
- Article 50
The Authority determines the nationality and registration marks of national aircraft and how they are placed on the aircraft, in accordance with the applicable international rules and laws.
تحدد الهيئة علامات جنسية وتسجيل الطائرات الوطنية ، كما تحدد طريقة وضعها على الطائرة وفقا للقواعد والأنظمة الدولية المطبقة في هذا الشأن.
- Article 52
The Authority issues aircraft registration certificates after completing the necessary procedures, each containing the data set by the Implementing Regulations.
تصدر الهيئة شهادات تسجيل الطائرات بعد إتمام الإجراءات اللازمة لذلك على أن تتضمن كل شهادة البيانات التي تحددها اللائحة.
- Article 53
An aircraft is deregistered if its owner or lessee loses Saudi nationality, ownership passes to a foreigner, it is lost or permanently withdrawn, the owner requests it or a registration condition ceases; the owner must notify the Authority and return the certificate.
1- تشطب الطائرة من السجل في الحالات الآتية: أ - إذا فقد مالكها أو مستأجرها جنسيته السعودية. ب - إذا انتقلت ملكيتها إلى شخص أجنبي. ج - إذا فقدت الطائرة أو سحبت
- Article 54
The provisions on rights over aircraft apply to all civil aircraft in the Kingdom's territory whatever their nationality and to Saudi civil aircraft wherever they are, but not to state aircraft.
تطبق أحكام هذا الفصل على جميع الطائرات المدنية أيًّا كانت جنسيتها حال وجودها في إقليم المملكة وكذلك على الطائرات المدنية السعودية في أي مكان كانت، ولا تسري أحكا
- Article 55
For the chapter on rights over aircraft, an aircraft means its airframe, engines, propellers, radio equipment and all parts designated to serve it, whether attached or temporarily detached.
مع مراعاة ما ورد في الفقرة (13) من المادة (الأولى) من هذا النظام، يقصد بتعبير ( الطائرة ) عند تطبيق أحكام هذا الفصل هيكلها والمحركات والمراوح وأجهزة اللاسلكي وك
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.