China
Trip Support
CAAC pre-flight registration, permit timelines across three authorities, the documents that stall an approval, Beijing Capital and Daxing parking, Shanghai in November, crew visas and the 2026 rules for US crews, from the desk that files China every month.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 10 September 2026
The working reference
How China works for a private flight
China is a two-stage permit. First the aircraft is registered in the CAAC pre-flight system with its registration, airworthiness, radio licence, worldwide insurance, noise certificate, cabin layout and a combined authorisation letter, approved at least five full business days before a landing permit can even be filed. Then the landing permit runs seven to ten working days across the CAAC, the State ATC Commission and the air force, with slot approvals that must sit inside the permit's validity window, and no schedule or routing change afterwards without reapplying. Processing is Monday to Friday outside Chinese holidays, so the desk allows two weeks around Chinese New Year, Labor Day and National Day. Crew normally arrive on a C visa; the 15-day visa-free entry for US citizens covers transit only. Beijing Capital is squeezed by government events with last-minute slot changes; Beijing Daxing is the recommended general aviation arrival but has closed its self-taxi stands, leaving six general aviation stands and two borrowable commercial stands twenty minutes from the FBO. Shanghai closes to general aviation for the Import Expo in early November, and secondary airports such as Zhanjiang can require a local sponsorship letter and a navigator. The desk registers the aircraft the day the trip is confirmed, files the permit with full passenger data, and holds the alternate.
Stage one: CAAC registration
Registration, airworthiness, radio licence, worldwide insurance, noise certificate, cabin layout and the combined authorisation letter, filed in the CAAC pre-flight system and approved at least five full business days before any permit request. The desk files it the day the trip is confirmed.
Stage two: the permit
Seven to ten working days across the CAAC, the State ATC Commission and the air force. Slot approvals must sit inside the permit validity window. No schedule or routing change after approval without reapplying. Monday to Friday only, and two weeks around Chinese New Year, Labor Day and National Day.
Beijing
Daxing (ZBAD) for most general aviation arrivals: fewer disruptions, but the self-taxi stands are closed, leaving six general aviation stands plus two borrowable commercial stands, first come first served, about twenty minutes by vehicle from the FBO. Capital (ZBAA) is squeezed by government events with last-minute slot changes, but is not subject to the self-taxi limits and can suit a longer stay.
Shanghai and the alternates
The China International Import Expo runs in the first ten days of November and severely restricts general aviation at Pudong and Hongqiao. Tianjin, Xiamen, Nanjing and Chengdu are the alternates for Tier 1 congestion.
Crew and passengers
Crew normally on a C visa when arriving on the aircraft, other visas if entering commercially; the US 15-day visa-free entry is transit only. Full passenger data goes on the permit. Secondary airports such as Zhanjiang can require a local sponsorship letter and a navigator or safety pilot. English-speaking on-site representatives are advised.
What stalls an approval
A document missing from the pre-flight registration, insurance that is not worldwide, a slot outside the permit window, a routing change after approval, or a request filed into a holiday. The desk checks all five before it submits.
Guides and updates
China articles from the desk
The detailed pieces behind this page, newest first, each with the year it was written and the discipline it belongs to.
What U.S. crews need to know when flying into China in 2026
Explains the sequence for US crews operating into China: CAAC aircraft registration first, then permits with strict timelines, matching crew visas to entry method, compliance-driven airport choice and navigator requirements.
Read the guide2026Airport handling, parking and feesZBAD trip support update: What private jet crews need to know before operating into Beijing
March 2026 update that ZBAD closed its self-taxi GA stands, leaving six to eight stands on first-come basis, with advice to request parking early and compare ZBAA.
Read the guide2024Airport handling, parking and feesPrivate jet operations and parking in China: A pilot's guide
Pilot's guide to China ops: parking shortages at ZBAA and ZSSS, CIIE event restrictions, why to prefer ZBAD and ZSPD, and the need for early slots and on-site support.
Read the guideQuestions
China trip support questions
How long does a China landing permit take?
Seven to ten working days after the aircraft has been registered in the CAAC pre-flight system, which itself needs at least five full business days. Allow two weeks around Chinese New Year, Labor Day and National Day.
What documents does the CAAC pre-flight system need?
Registration, airworthiness, radio licence, worldwide insurance, noise certificate, the cabin layout and a combined authorisation letter. The desk files them the day the trip is confirmed.
Can I change my schedule after the permit is issued?
No. A schedule or routing change means reapplying, and slot approvals must sit inside the permit validity window. Confirm the dates before the desk files.
Which Beijing airport should a private jet use?
Daxing for most arrivals, with fewer disruptions but limited stands since the self-taxi closure. Capital for a longer stay, accepting that government events can move slots at short notice.
Can I fly into Shanghai in early November?
General aviation is severely restricted at Pudong and Hongqiao during the Import Expo in the first ten days of November. The desk plans Hangzhou, Nanjing or another alternate.
What visa does the crew need?
Normally a C visa when arriving on the aircraft. The US 15-day visa-free entry covers transit only. Other visas apply if the crew enters commercially.
Do secondary Chinese airports have extra requirements?
Some do. Zhanjiang and similar fields can require a local sponsorship letter and a navigator or safety pilot on board. The desk confirms it with the permit.
Does China accept US-registered aircraft?
Yes, with the same registration and permit process. The 2026 guide for US crews covers the visa, sponsorship and routing points that apply to N-registered operations.
Is parking at Daxing guaranteed?
No. Six general aviation stands plus two borrowable commercial stands are allocated first come first served, about twenty minutes by vehicle from the FBO. The desk files early and holds Capital as the alternate for a longer stay.
What does the desk need to file China?
The full document set for the pre-flight system, crew licences and medicals, complete passenger data, the airports and the confirmed dates, at least two weeks out and longer near a holiday. It comes back with the registration approved, the permit filed and the stands requested.
Get it filed
Flying into China? Filed from the desk
Send the documents, the confirmed dates and the airports two weeks out. You get the CAAC registration and the permit filed in sequence, the stands requested, the crew visas checked, and a number you can hold us to.
Contact UsPrefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email tripsupport@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.