New CAAC Regulation for Operations to China

Operators planning missions to China must remain fully aligned with the latest updates issued by CAAC China. Recent CAAC regulations introduce structured preflight changes, updated documentation standards, and revised operational procedures that directly impact landing permit approvals and aircraft registration requirements.

For operators accustomed to China’s strict landing permit environment, these updates signal procedural refinement and increased system oversight. Understanding how these changes affect documentation, aircraft pre-registration, and operational timelines is critical to maintaining compliance and avoiding disruptions.

Overview of the New CAAC Preflight Changes

Effective from March 1, 2025, CAAC China launched an upgraded CAAC Preflight system. This upgrade introduces updated documentation requirements and enhanced system controls governing permit submissions.

Operators familiar with previous CAAC processes understand the importance of precise documentation and structured submission timelines. The upgraded system reinforces these standards while introducing new documentation protocols and procedural checks designed to streamline application handling.

While the regulatory framework continues to reflect CAAC’s structured approach to permit approvals, the updated Preflight system emphasizes improved document management and defined pre-registration requirements for aircraft entering the system for the first time.

Operators should recognize that documentation accuracy and submission timing remain central to approval success under the revised CAAC regulations.

Required Documents for Landing Permit

Under the updated CAAC China requirements, operators must ensure the following documents are available and correctly submitted when applying for landing permits:

• Aircraft nationality registration certificate
• Airworthiness certificate
• Radio station license
• Insurance certificate
• Noise certificate
• Cabin layout / floor plan
• New Authorization Letter combining handler and trip approvals

These documents must be current and consistent with aircraft records. Any discrepancies or incomplete submissions may delay processing within the upgraded CAAC Preflight system.

The addition of the new Authorization Letter consolidates previously separate approvals into a unified document, streamlining submission workflows while maintaining CAAC’s compliance oversight.

Operators should verify document validity well in advance of mission planning, particularly when preparing first-time operations to China or when introducing new aircraft into the CAAC system.

Authorization Letter Details

One of the most notable procedural updates under the new CAAC regulations is the revised Authorization Letter format.

The Authorization Letter now combines:

• Long-term ground handler authorization
• Trip-specific clearance

This consolidation reduces administrative duplication while maintaining regulatory clarity.

The signing process has also been simplified. Any operator employee may sign the Authorization Letter, and only a standard company stamp is required. No notarization or special seals are needed under the new format.

This flexibility represents a procedural improvement for operators while preserving the compliance standards required by CAAC China.

Although the process is simplified, accuracy and alignment with operational details remain essential. Incorrect or incomplete Authorization Letters can still result in delays or rejections.

New Aircraft Pre-registration Rule

A significant operational change introduced under the updated CAAC China framework is the aircraft pre-registration requirement.

Aircraft not already registered within the CAAC Preflight system must be registered at least five working days before submitting a landing permit application.

This requirement applies only once per aircraft. After initial registration, future applications for that aircraft will not require repeat pre-registration, provided no material changes occur.

The five-working-day lead time is critical. Failure to complete pre-registration before submitting a permit request may result in application delays or rejection.

Operators conducting first-time missions to China should prioritize early coordination to ensure aircraft registration is completed well in advance of the intended schedule.

Proactive pre-registration avoids operational bottlenecks and supports smoother permit processing under the upgraded CAAC system.

Operational Impact & Recommendations

The updated CAAC regulations introduce structured improvements while reinforcing oversight. Operators should consider the following operational priorities:

• Confirm that aircraft are already registered in the CAAC Preflight system
• Ensure all required documentation is up to date and aligned with CAAC submission standards
• Initiate aircraft pre-registration at least five working days prior to permit application if not already completed
• Coordinate early when planning first-time operations to China

Under CAAC China’s system controls, submission timing and documentation accuracy directly influence approval outcomes. Operators should remain aware that system-based processing distinguishes application keywords and distributes submissions to relevant departments accordingly.

As previously structured under CAAC oversight:

• The purpose of the flight must be clearly stated in the application, such as tech-stop, ferry delivery, or through diplomatic channels. The CAAC system automatically distributes applications to the relevant department based on keyword identification.
• A flight can only be revised twice.
• All cancellation requests must be sent to CAAC before 0700z and at least one working day before the operation.
• All new requests and request revisions must be sent to CAAC before 0400z and at least one working day before the operation.
• Slot distribution priority is given to new requests over revised requests regardless of the reason.
• All revision and cancellation requests sent later than the approved schedule are considered violations. If violations exceed 20% of applications within a two-month period, CAAC may refuse to grant approvals.

For aircraft with fewer than 30 seats flying to China for business purposes, the aircraft must be filed with CAAC as early as possible.

These procedural parameters continue to shape permit strategy under CAAC China regulations.

Slot restrictions remain applicable at several major airports, including:

• A business jet cannot occupy two slots during peak hours (0100z–1359z) at ZBAA, ZSSS, ZSPD, ZGSZ, ZGGG.
• No take-off or landing slots are available for business jets between 0700L–0900L (2300Z–0100Z) at 21 airports, including ZBAA, ZBTJ, ZYTL, ZSSS, ZSPD, ZSHC, ZSNJ, ZSQD, ZSAM, ZSFZ, ZGGG, ZGSZ, ZHHH, ZGHA, ZJHK, ZJSY, ZUUU, ZUCK, ZPPP, ZLXY, ZWWW.
• At ZBAA, between 2200z–1559z, only two slots per hour are issued: one for foreign registered aircraft and one for domestic aircraft.
• At ZSSS, between 1600z–2159z, permits for landing or take-off are not issued. Between 2300z–1459z, foreign registered aircraft are not allowed to operate to or from the East/Northeast.

Operators should integrate slot strategy and documentation compliance into early planning stages when coordinating operations under CAAC regulations.

Broader CAAC Aviation Policy Changes

Beyond the Preflight system upgrade, CAAC China has also introduced updated market-access rules for international routes effective March 30, 2025.

These updated policies introduce a new scoring system and route allocation methodology based on hub strength and economic considerations.

Operators conducting international route planning to or from China should remain informed of these broader CAAC aviation policy developments, as they may influence route allocations and operational strategy.

Conclusion

The updated CAAC regulations reflect structured procedural refinement across documentation, aircraft registration, and system-based permit handling. The launch of the upgraded CAAC Preflight system, the introduction of the consolidated Authorization Letter, and the new aircraft pre-registration rule represent operationally significant updates for operators flying to China.

Maintaining compliance under CAAC China requires disciplined documentation management, adherence to submission timelines, and proactive coordination—particularly for first-time operations or newly introduced aircraft.

For detailed guidance on the new CAAC regulations or operational information for any airport in China, contact UAS. Our regional office in Beijing and station managers across major airports provide structured aviation trip support services aligned with CAAC China requirements and operational procedures.