New China Aviation Law Mandates Drone Certification, Fueling Trillion-Yuan Economy

Beijing has adopted sweeping revisions to its decades-old China Civil Aviation Law. The overhaul formally brings uncrewed aircraft systems like drones under the national legal framework. This move signals state support for the country’s rapidly growing low-altitude economy.

The revisions were approved by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. They will officially come into effect on July 1, 2026. This is a critical step in closing long-standing gaps in safety regulation. The revised law expands the 1995 legislation to 16 chapters and 262 articles. It targets drones explicitly for the first time.

New Rules for Uncrewed Aircraft

The law includes a new dedicated chapter on civilian uncrewed aircraft. It requires all entities involved in drone design, production, import, maintenance, and flight operations to obtain drone airworthiness certification. This certification must come from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) unless specifically exempted.

These measures elevate prior interim regulations from 2024 into permanent law. The earlier rules mandated real-name registration for all drones. However, they required certification only for medium and large models. The new law signals tighter control over this strategic sector. It addresses gaps exposed by past incidents, such as unauthorized flights causing airport disruptions.

Traceability and Safety

Manufacturers must now assign unique identification codes to each drone. This requirement is intended to improve traceability and regulatory oversight. This provision, combined with real-name registration, underscores China’s dual focus. It emphasizes both safety oversight and industrial policy.

Beyond drones, the law strengthens general aviation safety overall. It explicitly bans laser interference and electromagnetic disruptions near airports. It also empowers aviation operators and authorities to act when safety capacities are strained.

Fueling the Low-Altitude Economy

The regulatory overhaul is tied directly to the government’s drive to build the low-altitude economy. This sector covers commercial activities below 3,000 meters (9,840 feet). This includes parcel deliveries, urban logistics, and air tourism.

• The low-altitude economy was valued at over 500 billion yuan in 2023.
• Projections suggest the sector will exceed 2 trillion yuan (US$280 billion) by 2030.
• Drones and other low-altitude platforms are seen as potential pillars of future economic growth.

China’s drone industry already dominates the global market. The new legal framework provides the necessary regulatory certainty. This certainty is vital for scaling up commercial operations like drone logistics.

Impact on Commercial Aviation

The lack of oversight led to repeated incidents of “black flying.” Unregistered drones near runways caused flight delays and diversions at mainland airports. For example, an unregistered drone near Urumqi Tianshan International Airport caused delays in February. The authorities have responded with fines, confiscations, and criminal charges.

The new law is critical for commercial aviation news because it:

• Enhances Airport Safety: Tighter control over drone operations reduces the risk of air traffic disruption.
• Standardizes Manufacturing: Airworthiness certification aligns Chinese standards with global certification models, affecting major manufacturers like DJI and EHang.
• Clarifies Liability: The law clarifies liabilities, sanctions, and remedial measures for safety breaches.

This legislation also appears amid an intensifying technological rivalry with the United States. The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has labeled Chinese drones a national security threat. It has restricted their use, a move Beijing called “discriminatory.” While the CAAC safety regulation for medium/large drones is similar to US certification, China goes further. Its embedded traceability requirements underscore its unique approach to industrial policy and oversight. For more commercial aviation news and analysis, visit flying.flights.