China plans to open its airspace below 4,000 metres to civilian aircraft, a decision likely to open up one of the world’s largest untapped markets for corporate and other private aviation.
The Central Military Commission – which governs the People’s Liberation Army – and the State Council, China’s cabinet, said in a policy paper that low- altitude airspace would be gradually opened to private aircraft, according to people who have seen the document and reports posted on official websites.
Helicopters and light aircraft are virtually absent from Chinese skies because of tight military control over all airspace and regulations that require all private flights to be approved by military and civil aviation authorities, which can take weeks or longer.