Article 54 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 54 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الثاني: الحقوق على الطائرات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 أحكام هذا الفصل على طائرات الدولة.
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 54 explained in plain English
This article falls within the chapter on rights over aircraft, and its function is to set the scope of application of the provisions of this chapter.
The provisions of the chapter apply to:
- All civil aircraft whatever their nationality, while in the territory of the Kingdom. A foreign aircraft is subject to these provisions as long as it is within the territory.
- Saudi civil aircraft wherever they are, inside or outside the Kingdom.
They do not apply to: state aircraft. The exception here is general and covers all state aircraft.
The result is that the test is twofold: place for foreign aircraft, and nationality for Saudi aircraft.
This article does not mean that all the provisions of the chapter apply in the same way to foreign aircraft, as the articles of the chapter may contain provisions specific to each type. It is followed by Article 55, which sets the meaning of "aircraft" when applying the provisions of this chapter, covering the airframe, engines, propellers, radio equipment and the parts designated to serve them.
Anyone who holds a right over an aircraft, such as a mortgage or lease, would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in aviation law and commercial cases to learn which law applies.
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 54 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Do the provisions on rights apply to foreign aircraft in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. They apply to all civil aircraft whatever their nationality while in the territory of the Kingdom.
Do these provisions apply to state aircraft?
No. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to state aircraft.
Is a Saudi aircraft subject to these provisions outside the Kingdom?
Yes. They apply to Saudi civil aircraft wherever they are.
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 51
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.
1- تعد الهيئة سجلا لتسجيل الطائرات المدنية الوطنية يسمى ( السجل السعودي الوطني لتسجيل الطائرات )، وتحدد اللائحة البيانات التي يجب أن يتضمنها السجل والشروط الواج
- 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 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.