The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has set specific requirements for obtaining landing permits for both scheduled and non-scheduled flights within Chinese airspace. To secure a landing permit, operators must submit an application to the CAAC at least three working days in advance for non-scheduled flights, and five working days for flights carrying diplomatic or military personnel. The application must include detailed information such as;

1. Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC): A valid AOC from the operator’s home country, confirming authorization for commercial or non-commercial flights.
2. Flight Plan: A comprehensive flight plan must be submitted to CAAC, detailing the route, departure and arrival airports, estimated times, and alternate airports. This is essential for all operations.
3. Aircraft Registration Certificate: A certificate verifying the aircraft’s registration in its home country, confirming its legal status for international operations.
4. Aircraft Airworthiness Certificate: A certificate confirming the aircraft is airworthy and meets both international and local safety standards.
5. Insurance Certificate: Documentation proving insurance coverage for aircraft hull, third-party liability, and passenger liability, in accordance with Chinese aviation regulations.
6. Crew Licenses: Valid licenses for all crew members, particularly pilots, issued by their national aviation authority and recognized by CAAC.
7. Passenger Manifest: A complete list of all passengers aboard, required for customs and immigration clearance upon arrival in China.
8. Cargo Manifest (if applicable): A detailed cargo manifest required for customs clearance if the flight carries cargo.
9. Ground Handling Agent Confirmation: Confirmation from a local ground handling agent that necessary services (fueling, parking, passenger assistance) are arranged upon landing.
10. Slot Confirmation (if applicable): Required for busy airports to ensure available capacity for landing.
11. Noise Certificate: While not always mandatory, providing a noise certificate demonstrating compliance with ICAO Annex 16 is advisable, especially for urban operations.
12. Security Clearance (if applicable): Additional security clearances may be necessary for flights carrying high-profile passengers or sensitive cargo.
13. Customs and Immigration Pre-Approval: Pre-arrangements with local customs and immigration authorities are essential for smooth processing, especially for non-scheduled flights.
14. Special Permissions (for VIP or Government Flights): Additional permissions from CAAC and possibly other governmental bodies are needed for VIP transport, government work, or special operations.
15. Additional Documentation for Charter Flights: For chartered flights, additional documentation regarding the nature of the charter, such as contracts or letters of authorization, may be required.

For flights carrying dangerous goods, prior approval from the relevant authorities is required, with detailed information on the cargo’s nature and quantity. Once the application is submitted, the CAAC evaluates the request in coordination with local air traffic management units and may impose restrictions based on airspace capacity, weather conditions, and airport slot availability.