Article 89 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 89 من نظام الطيران المدني · الباب الخامس: قواعد الجو
The Authority sets the rules of the air, flight and navigation regulations, air routes and corridors, and the pilot-in-command's responsibilities; the Regulations set airspace rules and flight altitudes.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تحدد الهيئة قواعد الجو والأنظمة المتعلقة بتحليق الطائرات والملاحة الجوية وحماية الأشخاص والممتلكات على السطح واستعمال الفضاء الجوي .
2- تحدد الهيئة الطرق والممرات الجوية التي يجب أن تسلكها الطائرات داخل إقليم المملكة .
3- تحدد الهيئة مسؤوليات قائد الطائرة بخصوص قواعد الجو والحركة الجوية في المطارات وحولها، وإجازات وتعليمات المراقبة الجوية ، وما يجب عليه قبل الإقلاع لغرض القيام برحلة معينة.
4- تحدد اللائحة قواعد تحديد المجال الجوي وارتفاعات الطيران.
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 89 explained in plain English
This article, in the fifth part on the rules of the air, sets the legal basis for regulating aircraft movement in the Kingdom's skies, and makes this the Authority's responsibility.
What the Authority determines:
- The rules of the air and regulations relating to aircraft flight and air navigation, protection of persons and property on the surface, and use of airspace;
- The air routes and corridors that aircraft must follow within the Kingdom's territory;
- The pilot-in-command's responsibilities regarding the rules of the air and air traffic at and around airports, air traffic control clearances and instructions, and what the pilot must do before takeoff to make a particular flight.
What the Regulations determine: the rules for defining airspace and flight altitudes.
Practical effect: Every pilot-in-command operating in the Kingdom's territory is required to know the rules the Authority issues and comply with them, to follow the specified air routes and corridors, and to carry out air traffic control instructions. The article does not state the content of these rules; it gives the Authority the power to issue them.
It is followed by Article 90, which allows the Authority to prohibit or restrict flight over certain areas or over the whole territory in exceptional circumstances, and to define and announce dangerous areas. Anyone facing liability for violating the rules of the air should consult a lawyer specializing in civil aviation law.
Practical example
A pilot plans a private flight from Riyadh to Abha. Before takeoff, they must perform the duties the Authority sets for the pilot-in-command before a flight, follow the specified air corridors, and comply with air traffic control instructions around both airports.
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 89 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Who sets the rules of flight and air corridors in Saudi Arabia?
The Authority sets the rules of the air and the regulations on flight and navigation, and the air routes and corridors, within the Kingdom's territory.
Who determines flight altitudes?
The Regulations set the rules for defining airspace and flight altitudes.
Must the pilot-in-command follow air traffic control instructions?
The Authority sets the pilot-in-command's responsibilities regarding the rules of the air, air traffic, air traffic control clearances and instructions, and what the pilot must do before takeoff.
More articles on Rules of the Air and Prohibited Areas
- Article 13
No aircraft fitted with cameras or aerial survey equipment may fly in the Kingdom, and such equipment may not be used, without a permit from the Authority and under its conditions.
لا يجوز الطيران في إقليم المملكة بطائرات مجهزة بآلات التصوير أو المسح الجوي أو استعمال هذه الآلات إلا بتصريح من الهيئة ووفقا للشروط التي تحددها في هذا الشأن.
- Article 90
The article allows the Authority to prohibit or restrict flight over certain areas, or exceptionally over the whole territory, to define dangerous areas, and to set the prohibited acts for operators and pilots-in-command.
1- للهيئة أن تحظر أو تقيد تحليق الطائرات فوق: أ - مناطق معينة في إقليم المملكة لأسباب أمنية أو لمتطلبات المصلحة العامة . ب - إقليم المملكة كله أو جزء منه في ال
- Article 123
The article requires the competent authorities to allow persons, vehicles and equipment carrying out search and rescue to enter any prohibited area where the aircraft is or the accident occurred, under the Authority's supervision.
على السلطات المختصة أن تسمح للأشخاص والآليات والمعدات بما فيها الطائرات والسفن التي تقوم بعمليات البحث والإنقاذ بدخول أي منطقة محظورة إذا كانت الطائرة موجودة في
- Article 175
Articles 37, 89 and 90 apply to all national and foreign military aircraft flying in air corridors or using civil airports in the Kingdom, and Articles 6, 7 and 12 apply to foreign military aircraft flying and landing in the territory.
1- تسري أحكام المواد (السابعة والثلاثين) و(التاسعة والثمانين) و(التسعين) من هذا النظام على جميع الطائرات العسكرية الوطنية والأجنبية أثناء الطيران في الممرات الج
- Article 176
A foreign military aircraft may not fly or land in the Kingdom's territory except under an international or bilateral agreement, with a special permit from the Authority after coordination, and carrying its distinctive marks clearly.
لا يجوز لأي طائرة عسكرية أجنبية التحليق أو الهبوط في إقليم المملكة إلا بموجب اتفاقية دولية تكون المملكة طرفًا فيها، أو اتفاقية ثنائية مع الدولة التابعة لها الطا
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.