Archive · 17 Sep 2026
China Creates Italy-Sized Permanent Restricted Airspace Around Beijing
China plans to create a very large restricted-airspace zone around Beijing.
The zone will begin on September 20.
It will cover Beijing, Tianjin and parts of several nearby regions.
Most flights will not be allowed to enter freely.
Commercial planes and certain approved, military and emergency flights can still operate there.
These flights must follow strict plans and stay in constant contact with air-traffic controllers.
The new rules come after a small aircraft crashed into Beijing’s CITIC Tower on June 26.
Officials said the pilot died and 13 people on the ground were injured.
The government says the zone is meant to improve security and protect people and important buildings.
A permanent 600-kilometre-wide Special Restricted Area around Beijing will take effect on September 20.
The zone covers more than 280,000 square kilometres, including Beijing, Tianjin and parts of six surrounding regions.
Commercial, approved business, military, customs, police and fire-rescue flights will be allowed to operate within the zone.
Exempt flights must follow approved plans, maintain continuous two-way contact and carry identification and tracking equipment.
The measure follows a June 26 crash in which a light aircraft struck Beijing’s CITIC Tower, killing its pilot and injuring 13 people.
- Who
- China’s airspace control authorities are establishing the restricted zone; affected flights include commercial, approved business, military, customs, police and fire-rescue aircraft.
- What
- China is creating a permanent Special Restricted Area around Beijing that will sharply limit aircraft operations.
- When
- The zone will take effect on September 20; the announcement was reported on September 17.
- Where
- The zone is centered on Beijing and covers Beijing, Tianjin, much of Hebei, parts of Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shandong and Liaoning, and the Bohai Sea.
- Why
- Authorities said the measure is intended to strengthen airspace security, maintain order in aerial operations, and protect important ground targets and public safety after a rare aircraft crash.
- Effective date
- September 20
- Zone size
- More than 280,000 square kilometres
- Zone description
- A permanent 600-kilometre-wide circle centered around Beijing
- Allowed flights
- Commercial, approved business, military, customs, police and fire-rescue flights
- Geographic coverage
- Beijing, Tianjin, much of Hebei, parts of Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shandong and Liaoning, and the Bohai Sea
- Crash date
- June 26
- Crash casualties
- The sole pilot was killed and 13 people not aboard the aircraft were injured