2008 Olympic Games Flight Regulations Released

A GUIDE TO FLIGHT PLAN APPLICATION AND ITS APPROVAL FOR FOREIGN AIRCRAFT INTERIM FLIGHT OPERATIONS DURING OLYMPIC GAMES

Chapter 1: General Provision

Article 1

This Guide is formulated in accordance with the relevant regulations of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (hereinafter referred to as CAAC) with a view to standardizing the interim flight activities of foreign aircraft operating in China during the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008 and facilitating foreign airlines to understand application and approval procedures for special flights, VIP flights, extra flights and charter flights for the transportation of the “Big Family” members of Olympic Games.

Article 2

This Guide is applicable to all interim flight activities conducted in China by foreign aircraft in association with 2008 Beijing Olympic Games during Olympic Games Time Period within the time frame with effect from 00:01 July 1, 2008 up to 23:59 September 30, 2008.

Article 3

All interim flight plans bound for Olympic Games competition grounds i.e. Beijing, Shanghai/Putong, Qingdao, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao shall make prior coordination with the Destination Airport Takeoff and Landing Slots Coordination Office of CAAC and only after approval for takeoff and landing slots has been obtained, may the applicant file his application for interim landing permission and for extra, charter flights permission.

Article 4

With respect to takeoff and landing time, priority arrangement will be made for special flights, VIP flights, extra and charter flights of Olympic Games “Big Family” members as well as those flights conducted by Olympic Games sponsors in the light of the different nature of interim flight missions. Takeoff and landing time of general commercial and business flights is arranged normally within the time period beginning from 23:00 to 07:00 (Beijing Time) the next day.

Article 5

All interim flight operators shall sign ground handling agreements with the destination airports and airports for technical stops.

Chapter 2: Application and Coordination Procedures for Takeoff and Landing Time of Destination Airports

Article 6

Foreign air carriers shall file to CAAC their applications for takeoff and landing time at destination airports via SITA, AFTN or facsimile with details as follows:

SITA addressee: BJSCKCA, BJSZGCA
AFTN addressee: ZBBBCKXX, ZBBBZGXX
Tel: 86-10-87786598, 86-10-64012907
FAX: 86-10-87786590, 86-10-65135983

Article 7

Handling and Answering Time Frame for Applications for Takeoff and Landing Time at Destination Airports

7.1 With effect from the day this Guide is promulgated, we begin to process applications for takeoff and landing time at destination airports for Olympic Games interim flight operations and we start to conduct initial time coordination. Prior to March 31, 2008, we commence to conduct coordination and confirmation concerning Olympic Games interim flight time.

7.2 Any application for interim flight plan filed after April 1, 2008, shall be made at least 30 working days in advance prior to the execution of the flight concerned. CAAC will conduct time coordination on the basis of the already allotted time at the previous period.

Chapter 3: Application and Approval Procedures for Landing Permissions for Foreign Special and VIP Flights

Article 8

With respect to State aircraft and aircraft carrying State leaders, government leaders and any other government VIPs, the applicants shall submit their applications for landing permissions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China through diplomatic channels at least 30 working days in advance prior to the execution of the estimated day of flights concerned.

Article 9

Applications shall include the following particulars:

(a) Names, nationality, addresses, contact phone and fax numbers of the aircraft owners and operators;
(b) Aircraft radio voice and communication call signs;
(c) Aircraft radio frequency range in use;
(d) Aircraft nationality and registration marks;
(e) Aircraft type, maximum takeoff weight and maximum landing weight;
(f) Aircraft attributes;
(g) Aircraft takeoff and arrival points, date and time (UTC);
(h) Entry/exit points at national boundaries and detailed routing within China’s territory;
(i) Flight purpose;
(j) Names, positions and nationality of aircraft crew members as well as the weather minima of pilot-in-command;
(k) Passenger manifest, nationality and/or cargo carried on board the aircraft;
(l) Names of reception departments on the Chinese side and phone numbers of contacts thereof;
(m) Names of ground agents;
(n) Addresses for collecting fees and particulars.

Article 10

CAAC will give an answer through diplomatic channels within 15 working days from the day it receives their full application information.

Chapter 4: Application and Approval Procedures for Landing Permissions for Business Flights of Foreign Nationality

Article 11

Applicants shall file to CAAC their applications via SITA, AFTN or facsimile at least 30 working days in advance prior to their estimated days of flights with details as follows:

SITA addressee: BJSCKCA, BJSZGCA
AFTN addressee: ZBBBCKXX, ZBBBZGXX
FAX: 86-10-87786590, 86-10-65135983

Article 12

Applications shall include the following particulars:

(a) Names, nationality, addresses, contact phone and fax numbers of the aircraft owners and operators;
(b) Aircraft radio voice and communication call signs;
(c) Aircraft radio frequency range in use;
(d) Aircraft nationality and registration marks;
(e) Aircraft type, maximum takeoff weight, maximum landing weight, available seating or tonnage capacity;
(f) Flight crew and passenger information;
(g) Flight number/aircraft call sign and date of flight;
(h) Aircraft estimated takeoff points, arrival points, date and time (UTC), specific routing and entry/exit points of routes at national boundaries of the People’s Republic of China;
(i) Nature of flight mission and specific flight purpose (where Olympic Games sponsors and flight operations in association with Olympic Games are concerned, flight purpose shall be clearly indicated as “Olympic Delegation Flight”;
(j) Letters of evidence issued by domestic reception departments;
(k) Detailed names, addresses, contacts and their phone numbers (inclusive of mobile phone numbers) of reception departments;
(l) Names, addresses, contacts and their phone numbers (including mobile phone numbers) of agents with corresponding qualifications offering ground services.

Article 13

CAAC will give an answer through SITA/AFTN to applicants within two working days from the day it receives their full application information.

Chapter 5: Application and Approval Procedures for Interim Extra or Charter Flights of Foreign Air Carriers Carrying Olympic Games “Big Family” Members

Article 14

Application for charter flights shall be submitted to CAAC by applicant via SITA or AFTN message at least 30 working days before the estimated operation day.

Addresses to receive SITA message: BJSSKCA, BJSCKCA, BJSZGCA
Addresses to receive AFTN message:ZBBBSKXX,ZBBBCKXX, ZBBBZGZX

Article 15

Applications shall include the following particulars:

(a) Names, nationality, addresses, contact phone and fax numbers of the aircraft owners and operators;
(b) Aircraft radio voice and communication call signs;
(c) Aircraft radio frequency range in use;
(d) Aircraft type, nationality and registration marks;
(e) Flight number and operation date;
(f) Aircraft estimated takeoff points, arrival points, date and time (UTC), specific routing and entry/exit points of routes at national boundaries of the People’s Republic of China;
(g) Flight purpose shall be clearly indicated as “TO CARRY OLYMPIC FAMILY MEMBER FLIGHT” along with the number of such members;
(h) Detailed names, addresses, contacts and their phone numbers (inclusive of mobile phone numbers) of reception departments;
(i) Names, addresses, contacts and their phone numbers (including mobile phone numbers) of ground handling company with appropriate qualifications.

Article 16

Foreign airlines applying for the first time for flight operations to China shall provide the following evidence ( English edition):

(a) Air operator’s certificate and its operations specifications;
(b) Aircraft airworthiness certificate;
(c) Aircraft registration certificate;
(d) Aircraft radio permit certificate;
(e) Aircraft noise permit certificate;
(f) Aircraft insurance certificate.

Article 17

Application for the extra flights on the scheduled route by the foreign airlines to carry Olympic Games “Big Family” members shall be submitted to CAAC at least seven working days before the estimated operation day.
The application shall include the following particulars:

(a) Aircraft type, nationality and registration marks;
(b) Flight number and operation date;
(c) Aircraft estimated takeoff points, arrival points, date and time (UTC), specific routing and entry/exit points of routes at national boundaries of the People’s Republic of China;
(d) Flight purpose shall be clearly indicated as “TO CARRY OLYMPIC FAMILY MEMBER FLIGHT” along with the number of such members.

Article 18

Within three days after the application for the interim extra or charter flights to carry Olympic Games “Big Family” members is submitted, foreign airlines shall forward to CAAC by fax (fax No: 86-10-64013829) the Letter of Reception Evidence issued by the XXIX Olympiad Capital Airport Venue Team and the letter of confirmation to provide ground handling services by the ground handling company of the destination airport.

Article 19

CAAC shall approve the interim extra and charter flights within four(4) working days from the day after full and complete application materials from applicant and the coordinated results of takeoff and landing slots have been received.

Chapter 6: Other Requirements and Information

Article 20

All landing permissions for interim flight operations and all interim extra or charter flight operations that have been granted approval shall not be altered at will. Where there is a need to make any alteration to an already approved permission due to special reasons, such as aircraft malfunction, route restrictions, weather or force majeure, the applicant concerned shall file an application to CAAC and execution to such alteration can only be made after an approval has been received.

Article 21

The standard of capacity per hour for Beijing Capital Airport beginning from July 1, 2008 up to July 31, 2008, is 75 flight movements per hour. The standard of capacity per hour beginning from August 1, 2008 up to September 30, 2008, is 80 flight movements per hour.

Article 22

When filling in a flight plan (FPL) during flight operations, attention shall be paid to indicate approval number, takeoff and landing time of flights and the range of permissible difference from approved time. Such difference is defined as follows:

For trip time within 4 hours: ± 20 minutes
For trip time for more than 4 hours: ± 30 minutes

Flights that exceed the range of permissible difference will be penalized according to the current regulations.

Article 23

Relevant requirements concerning parking arrangement

Under normal conditions, the transit time for flights at Beijing Capital Airport is within 2 hours.

When parking space at Beijing Capital Airport is insufficient, arrangement for the parking of flights for overnight stay may be made, if necessary, at the surrounding airports, such as Dalian, Shijiazhuang, Hohhot or Taiyuan.


General Administration of Civil Aviation of China
November 20, 2007