China will create a vast restricted airspace around Beijing on 20 September after a light aircraft crashed into the CITIC Tower in June, killing the pilot and injuring 13 people. The new measure covers the capital region and keeps scheduled airline services and emergency operations exempt, while tightening controls on general aviation and other authorised flights.
The permanent zone is centred on Beijing and extends across Tianjin, much of Hebei and parts of neighbouring provinces, creating one of the broadest flight restrictions in the country. Permitted aircraft will need approved flight plans, continuous radio contact and electronic identification, reflecting a sharper security response after the rare crash in the city’s central business district.
The move follows a period of heightened scrutiny over low-altitude airspace management in Beijing after the incident at the 108-storey tower, one of the city’s best-known landmarks. Officials have also moved to tighten drone controls across the capital, as authorities seek to limit unauthorised aerial activity near sensitive sites and heavily populated urban areas.