Article 91 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 91 من نظام الطيران المدني · الباب السادس: الإجازات وتعليم الطيران
Anyone serving on the flight crew of any aircraft operating in the Kingdom's territory must hold a valid license issued by the State of registry, taking into account the standards of international treaties.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يشترط في من يعمل عضوا في هيئة قيادة أي طائرة تعمل في إقليم المملكة أن يكون حائزا على إجازة سارية المفعول صادرة عن دولة التسجيل وعن سلطة تسجيل العلامة العامة ، تراعى فيها المعايير التي نصت عليها المعاهدات الدولية.
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 91 explained in plain English
This article, in the sixth part on licenses and flight training, sets a general condition for everyone serving on an aircraft's flight crew, meaning pilots and other members of the flying crew.
Its scope: any aircraft operating in the Kingdom's territory, whether registered in the Kingdom or abroad.
The condition: the flight crew member must hold a license that is:
- valid;
- issued by the State of registry (that is, the State in which the aircraft is registered according to the definitions) and by the authority that registers the nationality mark, as the text states;
- taking into account the standards set out in international treaties.
Practical effect: A pilot flying an aircraft registered in a foreign State within the Kingdom's airspace needs a valid license issued by that State under international standards. For those serving on an aircraft registered in the Kingdom, Article 92 sets a special rule, requiring a valid license entitling them to perform their duties, issued or validated by the Authority.
This article follows Article 90 on prohibited areas. Anyone with a question about the validity of their license to work in the Kingdom should consult the Authority or a lawyer specializing in civil aviation law.
Practical example
A foreign company operates charter flights to Jeddah with an aircraft registered in its home country. Every member of its flight crew must hold a valid license issued by the aircraft's State of registry that takes account of the standards of international treaties.
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 91 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Does a foreign pilot need a Saudi license to fly in the Kingdom's airspace?
For any aircraft operating in the Kingdom's territory, the article requires the flight crew member to hold a valid license issued by the State of registry that takes account of international standards; aircraft registered in the Kingdom are governed by Article 92.
May someone work with an expired pilot license?
No. The article requires the license to be valid.
More articles on Pilot Licenses and Flight Training
- Article 92
Anyone serving on the flight crew of an aircraft registered in the Kingdom must hold a valid license entitling them to perform their duties, issued or validated by the Authority.
يشترط في من يعمل عضوا في هيئة قيادة أي طائرة مسجلة في المملكة أن يكون حائزا على إجازة سارية المفعول تخوله القيام بواجباته، صادرة عن الهيئة أو معتمدة منها.
- Article 93
The article exempts from the license requirement someone working as a pilot on an aircraft registered in the Kingdom for training or testing, provided the pilot-in-command holds the required licenses and with limits on who is on board.
لا يجوز لغير حائز الإجازة المطلوبة أن يعمل كطيار في طائرة مسجلة في المملكة إلا لتلقي التدريب، أو لإتمام الاختبار لغرض الحصول على إجازة طيران ، أو اعتمادها، أو ت
- Article 94
The Authority issues, validates and renews flight, air traffic controller, maintenance and other technical licenses and may create new ones; it may refuse to issue or renew them, and suspend and terminate them.
تختص الهيئة بإصدار واعتماد وتجديد إجازات الطيران وإجازات المراقبين الجويين وإجازات الصيانة والإجازات الفنية الأخرى المتعلقة بجميع أعمال خدمات الطيران المدني، كم
- Article 95
The article requires every flight crew member of an aircraft registered in the Kingdom, and everyone flying for qualification, to keep a personal flight record approved by the Authority, and not to deal with it without the Authority's permission.
على كل عضو في هيئة قيادة طائرة مسجلة في المملكة وكل شخص يقوم بالطيران لغرض التأهيل – سواء لتعليم الطيران، أو إتمام اختباراته، أو الحصول على إحدى إجازاته أو تجدي
- Article 96
No one may be trained to fly in the Kingdom except by an instructor holding a valid license that includes authority to train, and someone without the license may train only under an approved instructor in an aircraft without passengers.
1- لا يجوز لأي شخص أن يدرب شخصًا آخر على الطيران في المملكة لغرض إعداده للحصول على إجازة طيران أو تأهيله؛ ما لم يكن المدرب حاصلا على إجازة سارية المفعول لقيادة
- Article 97
No institute or other body may engage in civil aviation teaching, training in its arts, or any other air activity in the Kingdom without prior licensing from the Authority, which may suspend or withdraw the license.
لا يجوز لأي معهد أو أي جهة أخرى مزاولة تعليم الطيران المدني، أو التدريب على فنونه، أو ممارسة أي نشاط جوي آخر في المملكة إلا بموجب ترخيص مسبق من الهيئة، ويحق لله
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.