Will China's New Civil Aviation Law Revision Finally End Flight Delays?

Chinese lawmakers are advancing a major overhaul of the country's Civil Aviation Law. The draft revision, submitted for a third reading on Monday, focuses heavily on strengthening air passenger rights. This legislative move comes as the nation’s civil aviation sector continues its post-pandemic rebound. However, this growth has exposed persistent vulnerabilities in airline operations and airport capacity.

Lawmakers from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) are reviewing the text. The goal is to provide a stronger legal framework for the industry's high-quality development. The draft includes a dedicated section on "Passenger Rights and Interests Protection".

Mandate to Reduce Flight Delays

A central focus of the revision is addressing the persistent issue of flight delays and cancellations. Recent disruptions have stranded thousands of travelers across major hubs. For example, a single two-day period in late November 2025 saw 77 domestic flights canceled and 772 delayed. Another disruption in mid-December saw over 150 departures canceled at key airports.

The draft law specifically targets delays caused by internal factors.

New Obligations for Operators

The proposed law stipulates new requirements for both public air transport enterprises and airport operators. These entities must improve operational planning and resource management.

• Capacity Planning: Airlines and airports must improve transport capacity planning and optimize resource allocation.
• Maintenance: They must strengthen inspections and maintenance to reduce internal delays.
• Information: Operators must release information in a timely and accurate manner. This includes informing passengers of delay reasons and flight updates.

This is a significant step toward boosting accountability. It aims to shift the burden of poor performance away from passengers. Existing regulations define a delay as more than 15 minutes past the scheduled departure time. The new law is expected to standardize compensation responsibilities.

Broader Regulatory Changes

The draft revision also addresses other critical areas of China’s civil aviation sector development. It clarifies the scope of the country's aviation activities.

Airspace and Safety

One key provision clarifies the role of the national air traffic management body. This body has the power to administer the country's airspace resources. It can also formulate relevant regulations in accordance with the law. This is crucial for managing congestion and improving on-time performance.

Furthermore, the draft excludes aircraft used for firefighting and rescue missions from the scope of civil aircraft. This distinction is important for emergency operations. The revision also strengthens overall aviation security measures. It promotes the development of general aviation and the low-altitude economy.

Industry Impact and Outlook

The proposed law will have a major impact on public air transport enterprises like Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern. They will face increased scrutiny on operational efficiency. The timely information disclosure requirement is a key benefit for travelers. It will help rebuild public trust in the air travel system.

Industry analysts warn that capacity has outpaced infrastructure upgrades at many tier-one airports. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is expected to accelerate slot-coordination reforms. The revision provides the legal basis for these operational improvements. The entire process of reviewing the draft amendment to the Civil Aviation Law is a major commercial aviation news story [flying.flights]. It signals a commitment to balancing industry growth with consumer protection. The NPC Standing Committee's third reading is a final step before the law's potential adoption.