Article 99 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
المادة 99 من نظام الطيران المدني · الفصل الأول: القواعد والتعليمات الواجب تطبيقها
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 كانت أحكام هذا النظام ما لم تتعارض مع أحكام قوانين الدول التي تباشر نشاطها فيها.
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 99 explained in plain English
This article provides that the provisions of the Civil Aviation Law accompany the Saudi aircraft wherever it goes, with an important restriction.
Who is addressed? The operator of any civil aircraft registered in the Kingdom engaged in air transport or aerial work.
What is the obligation? To observe the provisions of this Law in operating the aircraft wherever it is, that is, inside and outside the Kingdom.
The restriction: unless the Law's provisions conflict with the provisions of the laws of the States in which the operator carries out its activity. If they conflict, the operator is not bound by the Law's provisions on that point, according to the article's wording.
Subject to Article 4: The article opens with the words "subject to the provisions of Article (Four)", which is the article that treats the provisions of the Chicago Convention and its annexes and the other international civil aviation treaties the Kingdom has approved as a complementary part of the Law. The adopted treaties are thus part of the framework that applies.
Practical effect: A Saudi airline that operates flights to other countries remains bound by Saudi law in its operations there, except where it conflicts with the laws of those countries. This requires the operator to know the local laws of the countries where it operates. This article follows Article 98, which sets the scope of the air operations rules, and precedes Article 100 on inspection of operations. To determine the rule in a case of conflict, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in civil aviation and international matters.
Practical example
A Saudi airline operates regular cargo flights to an Asian country. It remains bound in operating its aircraft there by the provisions of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law, unless a provision of it conflicts with that country's laws.
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 99 of the Saudi Civil Aviation Law
Does the Saudi aviation law apply to Saudi aircraft outside the Kingdom?
Yes. The operator of an aircraft registered in the Kingdom engaged in air transport or aerial work must observe the Law's provisions wherever it is.
What if Saudi law conflicts with the other country's law?
The article restricts the obligation with the words: unless they conflict with the provisions of the laws of the States in which the operator carries out its activity.
Articles this article refers to
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 88
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.
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 ح
- 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
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.