China Aviation Permits
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Civil Aviation Authority
- Name: Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)
- Website: https://www.caac.gov.cn
- Contact: CAAC, Beijing | Tel: +86 10 6409 1114 | Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB): 7 regional ATMBs | Preflight System: managed by designated ground handlers
Estimated Processing Time
Requirements by Operation Type
Private flights require CAAC permit and PLA (military) clearance. Very restrictive, 10-15 days processing typical.
Non-scheduled flights require CAAC permit, minimum 10 business days. Apply via regional CAAC bureau.
Bilateral agreements via CAAC. Slots extremely limited at major airports (PEK, PVG, CAN).
Overflight Permit
- Required: Yes
- Authority: CAAC / ATMB
- Lead Time: 96 hours (4 working days) minimum
- Validity: +/- 24 hours from approved schedule
- Fees: Compensation fee ~USD 3,000 per entry; ATC charges apply. EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2026: advance payment of ATC charges or registered Letter of Guarantee is MANDATORY for permit approval.
Required for ALL foreign aircraft. Preflight system registration required. APRIL 2026 CHANGE: ATC advance payment or Letter of Guarantee must be on file before permit application will be accepted. Flights without payment compliance will NOT be permitted to enter Chinese airspace.
1. Ensure aircraft is registered in CAAC Preflight system by designated ground handler (one-time setup, allow 5+ working days) 2. Complete Authorization Letter (one-time per aircraft, combines two previous authorizations) 3. Submit overflight request via designated handler through Preflight system at least 96 hours before 4. Provide: full flight details, aircraft registration, operator information 5. EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2026: complete advance ATC payment OR register Letter of Guarantee with CAAC before applying 6. Compensation fee ~USD 3,000 per entry 7. Permit includes navigation route assignment
Landing Permit
- Required: Yes
- Authority: CAAC
- Lead Time: 5 working days (minimum), regardless of flight type
- Validity: Per approved schedule (typically +/- 24 hours)
- Fees: Compensation fee ~USD 3,000 per entry; ATC navigation charges; standard landing/parking fees. APRIL 1, 2026: advance ATC payment or Letter of Guarantee mandatory.
MARCH 2025 CHANGE: CAAC upgraded 'Preflight' system with new documentation requirements. Authorization Letter (combines two previous authorizations into one) is a ONE-TIME requirement per aircraft -- if not completed, CAAC will not allow permit submission. Aircraft must be registered in Preflight system by designated ground handler at least 5 working days before first permit application. Cabotage (domestic commercial and non-revenue) is PROHIBITED.
1. Engage a CAAC-designated ground handler (MANDATORY) 2. Register aircraft in CAAC Preflight system (one-time, 5+ working days) 3. Complete Authorization Letter (one-time per aircraft) 4. EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2026: complete advance ATC payment OR register Letter of Guarantee before applying 5. Handler submits landing permit via Preflight system at least 5 working days before 6. Provide: all aircraft documentation, insurance, AOC (charter), crew licenses 7. Compensation fee ~USD 3,000 per entry 8. Obtain airport slot (required at major airports) 9. Cabotage strictly prohibited -- no domestic sectors for foreign operators 10. Multiple stops limited to: customs clearance, tech stop (fuel only), or emergency
Cabotage
No (strictly prohibited for both charter and private)
General Remarks
China is one of the most complex operating environments for business aviation. Two major regulatory changes: (1) March 2025 Preflight system upgrade with new Authorization Letter requirement, (2) April 2026 mandatory ATC advance payment. ATMB has 7 regional bureaus and 37 sub-bureaus. Cabotage strictly prohibited. Multi-stop domestic operations are very limited. Beijing Capital (ZBAA), Shanghai Hongqiao (ZSSS), and Shenzhen (ZGSZ) are key GA airports.