The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has revealed strict details regarding the regulations for violations and penalties related to aviation security service providers, through the government's "Istilaa" platform. This step is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at tightening control over this vital sector and ensuring that all companies and entities operating in Saudi Arabian airports comply with the highest international security and safety standards.
Strategic context and future vision
These regulatory measures cannot be separated from the general context of the aviation sector in the Kingdom, which is one of the main pillars of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The National Aviation Strategy seeks to increase the capacity of airports and increase the number of passengers to reach 330 million passengers annually by 2030. In order to achieve this ambitious goal, it becomes necessary to strengthen the legislative and regulatory framework to ensure a safe and reliable environment that attracts investments and enhances the confidence of passengers and international airlines in Saudi airspace and airports.
Details of fines and financial penalties
The new regulations stipulate that the aviation security sector will be responsible for thorough inspections and field monitoring, referring any violations to a specialized committee to review breaches of the Civil Aviation Law. The regulations also specify financial penalties ranging from one thousand to fifty thousand riyals, depending on the severity of the violation and its direct impact on security.
The violation of “practicing aviation security services without a permit” topped the list of the most serious violations, as the authority confirmed that working without a regulatory license or continuing to provide the service after the expiry of the permit requires a financial penalty of up to 50,000 riyals, due to the direct threat this poses to the safety of operational processes.
Strict controls on operations and human resources
The regulations were not limited to licensing; they also included detailed operational procedures. A fine of five thousand riyals was imposed if a service provider changed its location or contact information without notifying the authority and obtaining its prior approval. The penalty was also increased to ten thousand riyals for obstructing the work of the authority's inspectors, refusing to provide required data, or providing misleading information.
Regarding personnel, the regulations emphasized the necessity of security guards being present at their designated posts and imposed a fine of ten thousand riyals for absence or negligence of duty. They also stressed adherence to Saudization decisions and approved regulations, imposing fines for employing non-Saudi security guards or equipment operators in violation of these regulations, all to ensure the efficiency and reliability of the personnel entrusted with the security of airports.
The importance of complying with international standards
These regulations are of paramount importance both regionally and internationally, as the Kingdom is committed to implementing the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The strict enforcement of these fines reflects the Kingdom's dedication to maintaining its outstanding record in aviation security, which positively impacts the global ranking of Saudi airports and supports the growing tourism and travel sector.
Cancellation of licenses and harsher penalties
The authority concluded its statement by emphasizing that repeated violations will not be tolerated. The fine will be doubled for a second offense, and the penalty may reach permanent revocation of the permit for a third offense. The regulations also specify grounds for permit revocation, such as transferring company ownership without approval, ceasing operations, or canceling the commercial registration. The authority stressed that the ultimate goal is to regulate the sector and enhance security preparedness at all airports in the Kingdom.
