Article 88 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 88 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الخامس: مواصفات التشغيل
An operator may not run a new air route or extend an existing one before one or more preparatory flights with no passengers except those needed to operate the aircraft; mail and goods may be carried, and the Authority may exempt.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز للمشغل تشغيل أي خط جوي جديد أو مد خط قائم قبل إجراء رحلة، أو رحلات تمهيدية ، ولا يجوز له فيها حمل أشخاص عدا الأشخاص اللازمين لتشغيل الطائرة ، ويجوز له حمل البريد أو البضائع أثناءها، وللهيئة إعفاء المشغل من إجراء هذه الرحلات إذا ما تأكد لها عدم الحاجة إليها.
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 88 explained in plain English
This article aims to make sure any new air route is ready before passengers are carried on it, through what are called "preparatory flights".
When are preparatory flights required?
- before operating any new air route;
- before extending an existing route to new points.
One flight or several are enough, as needed.
What may be carried on them?
- No persons may be carried except those needed to operate the aircraft;
- mail or goods may be carried during them.
Exemption: The Authority may exempt the operator from making these flights if it is satisfied that they are not needed. The text does not set criteria for this satisfaction; it is an assessment the Authority makes.
Practical effect: An operator cannot sell tickets to passengers on the first flight of a new route unless it has made the preparatory flights or obtained an exemption from the Authority. This article follows Article 87, which requires the operator to prepare an operations manual for each aircraft it operates, including the operations specifications, and to have the Authority approve it. Anyone planning to launch a new route should approach the Authority early or consult a lawyer specializing in civil aviation law.
Practical example
A national airline decides to operate a new route between Dammam and a city it did not previously serve. Before carrying passengers on it, the airline makes a preparatory flight with only the crew needed for operation on board, and it may carry cargo shipments on it, unless the Authority exempts it from this.
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 88 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
May passengers be carried on a preparatory flight?
No. No persons may be carried on it except those needed to operate the aircraft.
May goods be carried on preparatory flights?
Yes. The operator may carry mail or goods during them.
Can preparatory flights be waived?
Yes. The Authority may exempt the operator from them if it is satisfied that they are not needed.
More articles on Air Operations and Flight Safety
- Article 14
Unauthorized persons may not interfere with or obstruct the flight crew during flight, and no one may tamper with the aircraft or endanger its safety, its crew or its passengers.
يحظر على أي شخص غير مخول رسميا أن يتدخل في أعمال أي عضو من أعضاء هيئة القيادة أو يعوقه عن عمله أثناء فترة الطيران ، كما يحظر على أي شخص العبث بأي جزء من أجزاء ا
- Article 85
No aircraft may operate in the Kingdom's territory on an international flight unless it carries the documents and records required by the Chicago Convention and its annexes and any others the Authority specifies.
لا يجوز لأي طائرة أن تعمل في إقليم المملكة أثناء رحلة دولية إلا إذا كانت تحمل الوثائق والسجلات الواجب حملها طبقًا لأحكام معاهدة شيكاغو ملاحقها وأي وثائق أو سجلا
- Article 86
No operator may begin operating its aircraft before the Authority approves the operations specifications it prepares, which form part of its license and are binding.
لا يجوز لأي مشغل أن يبدأ في تشغيل طائرته إلا بعد اعتماد الهيئة لمواصفات التشغيل المعدة من قبل المشغل ، وتعد جزءًا من الترخيص الممنوح له، وتكون واجبة التطبيق، ول
- Article 87
The operator must prepare an operations manual for each aircraft it operates, including the operations specifications, for pilots and operations staff to use as guidance, and have the Authority approve it.
على المشغل أن يعد دليلا للعمليات ولكل طائرة يشغلها متضمنا مواصفات التشغيل ليستعمله ويسترشد به الطيارون وموظفو العمليات واعتماده من الهيئة وفقًا لما تحدده اللائح
- Article 98
The article sets the scope of the air operations part: Saudi aircraft operators, Saudi operators using foreign aircraft, and foreign operators inside the territory, as well as the people they employ and those on board.
مع مراعاة أحكام المادة (الثالثة) من هذا النظام تطبق الأحكام الواردة في هذا الباب على الآتي: 1 - العمليات الجوية التي يقوم بها مشغل طائرة مدنية مسجلة في المملكة
- Article 99
The operator of a civil aircraft registered in the Kingdom engaged in air transport or aerial work must observe the Law's provisions wherever the aircraft is, unless they conflict with the laws of the States where it operates.
مع مراعاة أحكام المادة (الرابعة) من هذا النظام؛ يجب على مشغل أي طائرة مدنية مسجلة في المملكة وتعمل في النقل الجوي أو الأشغال الجوية أن يراعي في تشغيلها أينما كا
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.