China continues low altitude airspace trial for general aviation

The CAAC Air Traffic Management Bureau announced they plan to continue to expand a trial that will roll back more restrictions on low-altitude airspace use for general aviation flights. The extending low-altitude airspace trial will open airspace between 1000 m and 400 m around northeast, central and south China. Six pilot cities – Tangshan, Xi'an, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Ningbo and Kunming – will be involved.

The area of low-altitude airspace to be opened in this latest is a series of ongoing developments accounts for almost 32% percent of China's total surface area. The airspace will be opened up during 2012.

Under the trial programme, low airspace is to be divided into three categories: areas under direct control of air traffic controllers, areas under surveillance by authorities and areas where aircraft can fly freely, provided a flight plan has been filed in advance. [913 words]

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This report contains the following charts and tables:

• China annual traffic and average daily passenger levels