China is set to implement an extensive airspace security zone approximately the size of Italy around Beijing, restricting all but commercial, authorized business, and emergency flights. This move follows a rare incident where a small aircraft crashed into the capital’s tallest building.
Effective from September 20, a permanent “Special Restricted Area” with a radius of 600 kilometers centered on Beijing will be enforced. This was detailed in an aviation notice issued by Beijing airspace control authorities and accessible via the US Federal Aviation Administration’s NOTAM system.
The entire airspace within this zone, extending from the ground to unlimited altitude, will be closed to all flights except commercial airlines, approved business flights, and military, customs, police, and fire-rescue operations. The restricted area covers over 280,000 square kilometers, including Beijing, Tianjin, much of Hebei province, and parts of Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shandong, Liaoning, and the Bohai Sea. Approximately 100 million people and numerous airports and smaller airfields fall within this vast zone.
This restriction ranks among the largest permanent airspace limitations imposed over a capital city worldwide. It comes in response to a rare breach of Beijing’s tightly controlled skies that exposed potential security vulnerabilities.
On June 26, a light sport aircraft crashed into the 108-story CITIC Tower in Beijing’s central business district. The crash resulted in the death of the sole pilot and injuries to 13 people on the ground. Authorities revealed the 66-year-old pilot had documented intentions of ending his life in his diary. He deviated from his approved flight area and lost contact with the general aviation airport in Beijing’s suburbs from which he had departed.
All flights exempted from the ban within the new restricted zone must adhere strictly to pre-approved flight plans. They are required to report and seek approval for any deviations and maintain continuous two-way radio communication with air traffic control. Aircraft must be equipped with surveillance and identification systems enabling continuous electronic tracking by controllers. Pilots are also mandated to report their “security status” before entering the restricted airspace.
In a significant development over the weekend, Chinese state media announced the establishment of a “Capital No-Fly Zone” over Beijing starting September 20, though they did not disclose the exact dimensions of the restricted area. The Beijing Daily emphasized that this measure aims to enhance airspace security management in the capital region, maintain orderly aerial operations, and protect critical ground targets as well as public safety.
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