China

The Chinese aviation sector is one of the largest and most dynamic in the world, characterized by exponential growth driven by rapid economic development and increasing domestic and international passenger traffic. China boasts a vast network of airports, including major international hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, alongside hundreds of regional airports. Air traffic is a fundamental pillar for the country's logistics, tourism, and trade.

The primary domestic regulatory bodies for the aviation sector in China include:

• Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC): The main regulatory authority responsible for overseeing aviation safety, airline operations, air traffic management, and tariff regulation.
• General Administration of Customs of China (GACC): Oversees the entry and exit procedures for goods and people, including baggage inspection and customs control.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China: issues visas abroad through embassies and consulates; entry into the country is controlled by the National Immigration Administration (NIA).

• Visa-free entry: China lets citizens of dozens of countries (including most of Europe and several in Latin America and Asia) enter without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting family and friends, exchanges or transit. For most of these countries the measure runs until 31 December 2026.
• 240-hour visa-free transit: citizens of dozens of countries can stop over in China on the way to a third country, through authorised ports and regions.
• Passport: at least 6 months of validity and blank pages are recommended.
• Visas: travellers without an exemption apply for the tourist visa (L) at a Chinese consulate or visa centre. Longer stays, work and study always require a visa.
• Hong Kong and Macao: have their own entry rules, separate from mainland China.
• Before you travel: check the list of exempt countries and how long the exemption lasts on the website of the Chinese embassy.

Chinese rules on delays, cancellations and denied boarding are set by the CAAC and by each airline's conditions of carriage. The general principles are:

• Compensation: There is no single, extensive national law establishing fixed automatic compensation amounts for all delay or cancellation scenarios, as seen in some Western jurisdictions. Compensations and refunds are generally negotiated on a case-by-case basis, depending on the severity of the delay or cancellation and the underlying cause (whether it was the airline's fault or due to external factors such as bad weather, air traffic control, etc.). Airlines are required to inform passengers of the reason for the delay or cancellation.
• Duty of Care (Material Assistance):
• Significant Delays: For delays exceeding a specific period (usually starting from 2–4 hours, depending on airline policy and flight duration), airlines are generally required to provide material assistance. This may include:
• Meals and Refreshments: Providing vouchers for food or drinks, depending on the time and duration of the delay.
• Accommodation: In cases of overnight stays due to cancellation or prolonged delay, the airline must provide hotel accommodation, including transportation to and from the airport.
• Communications: In some situations, the airline may offer access to phone calls or messages to inform family or employers.
• Cancellations: In the event of a flight cancellation, passengers are generally entitled to:
• Rebooking on a subsequent flight (at no additional cost).
• A full refund of the unused ticket.
• Material assistance as described for significant delays if rebooking is not immediate.
• Denied Boarding (Overbooking): If a passenger with a valid ticket is denied boarding due to overbooking, the airline is required to offer options such as:
• Rebooking on a later flight as soon as possible.
• A full refund of the ticket price.
• Additional compensation, which may include travel vouchers or cash, depending on the airline's policy.

It is essential for passengers to keep all receipts for additional expenses incurred due to delays or cancellations and to contact the airline to request a refund or compensation.

Baggage regulations in China are largely defined by the airlines, subject to CAAC supervision. There is no national law establishing universal free carry-on allowances for all carriers. However, domestic and international airlines operating in China generally follow international standards:

• Carry-on Baggage: Most airlines allow passengers to bring one piece of carry-on luggage free of charge, with specific maximum dimensions and weight (usually around 55x40x20 cm and up to 7–10 kg). Personal items such as handbags, laptops, or umbrellas are generally permitted in addition to the carry-on bag. Airlines may have slightly different policies, especially low-cost carriers.
• Checked Baggage: Checked baggage allowances vary significantly depending on the airline, class of service (Economy, Business, First Class), route (domestic or international), and fare type.
• Basic Fares: Some lower-priced fares, particularly on domestic flights, may not include free checked baggage, requiring the payment of additional fees.
• Excess Baggage: Baggage exceeding the allowed limit is subject to fees charged by the airlines, which can be substantial. Weight limits per checked bag usually range between 23 kg (Economy) and 32 kg (Premium classes), with a maximum weight limit per passenger to ensure safe handling.
• Prohibited and Restricted Items: The CAAC and GACC impose strict rules on what can be carried in carry-on and checked baggage, including hazardous, flammable, and sharp items. It is essential to consult the list of prohibited and restricted items from both the airline and customs authorities before traveling.

Bringing dogs and cats into China is controlled by the General Administration of Customs (GACC):

• Limit: each traveller may bring only one animal (a dog or a cat).
• Documents: microchip (ISO 11784/11785) and an official health certificate from the country of origin, issued within the 14 days before arrival.
• From a country with rabies, such as Brazil: two doses of rabies vaccine and a rabies antibody test from a laboratory recognised by China are required. With everything in order, the animal is usually released on arrival; if anything is missing, it spends 30 days in an official quarantine facility or may be sent back.
• On arrival: the animal is inspected by customs at the airport. Hong Kong and Macau have their own rules.

Regulations in China aim to ensure the safety and well-being of minors traveling both alone and accompanied.

• Accompanied Minors: Generally, minors traveling with parents or legal guardians do not face additional restrictions beyond the need to present valid identification documents (passports with visas, if applicable). It is advisable to have birth certificates or documents proving the relationship, especially if surnames differ.
• Unaccompanied Minors (UM): China has specific rules for minors traveling alone. Airlines generally require that unaccompanied minors (usually under 12 years old, though this varies) be registered as "Unaccompanied Minors" (UM) at the time of booking.
• Procedure: Parents or legal guardians must complete specific forms provided by the airline, including detailed information about who will drop off the minor at the origin airport and who will receive them at the destination.
• Supervision: The airline is responsible for supervising the minor throughout the flight and during ground procedures.
• Additional Fees: There is usually an additional service fee for UM services.
• Minimum Age: Airlines have minimum ages for UM services; for older minors (teenagers), there may be flexibility or a requirement for written parental authorization.
• Travel Authorization: While there is no single official "travel authorization" form issued by the Chinese government for minors, in cases of parental separation or sole legal responsibility, it is prudent for the minor to carry a notarized consent letter signed by the absent parent(s) authorizing the trip. This may be requested by immigration authorities in some cases, although it is less common for international tourism flights.

It is essential to check the specific airline policies for unaccompanied minors in advance.

China has made progress in improving accessibility at airports and on public transport, although implementation may vary.

• Airport Accessibility:
• Infrastructure: Major international airports and domestic hubs generally feature ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms, and reserved parking spaces for people with disabilities or reduced mobility.
• Services: Airlines and airports generally offer special assistance upon request, including wheelchairs and help with boarding and disembarking. Passengers with special needs should inform the airline in advance (usually at least 48 hours before the flight) so that proper arrangements can be made.
• In-Flight Rights:
• Wheelchairs: Passengers requiring a wheelchair have the right to bring it on board (if it is foldable and space permits) or check it in free of charge. The airline will provide a wheelchair for use within the airport.
• In-Flight Assistance: Flight crews are trained to assist passengers with reduced mobility within safety and capacity limits.
• Seating: While there is no legal guarantee of specific seats, airlines may attempt to accommodate passengers with reduced mobility in more accessible seats if available and without compromising safety.
• Seniors: While there is no specific legislation guaranteeing differentiated rights for seniors beyond those related to accessibility, airlines may offer assistance services upon request. Seniors with specific medical needs should always inform the airline.

It is fundamental that passengers with special needs communicate their requirements to the airline as early as possible.

• Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC): official website in English. Passenger service rules are set out in the Regulations on Public Air Transport Passenger Services (CCAR-273), in force since 2021.
• General Administration of Customs of China (GACC): customs and bringing in animals.
• National Immigration Administration (NIA): visa-free entry and transit.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China: visas and Chinese embassies abroad.