China tightens low-altitude aviation regulations near Beijing

China has tightened regulations for low-altitude aviation within 300km (186.4 miles) of Beijing’s geographic centre after a small plane hit a skyscraper, reports the South China Morning Post. Authorities are now requiring mandatory background reviews for pilots, according to a veteran aviation analyst.

The regulatory move affected crewed aircraft near Great Wall tourist sites, aerial tours of Beijing’s suburban mountains, and agricultural-use flights north of the capital, but was expected to have little impact on drones and uncrewed air taxis, which were already banned from much of that space, the analyst said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Because the curbs apply to general aviation–activity below 1,000 metres (3,280 feet)–commercial flights from Beijing’s major airports would be exempt. Instead, the enhanced oversight would mainly cover private recreational flights, some business travel by air and flight instruction–parts of China’s burgeoning low-altitude economy, the source explained.