Civil Aviation Administration: The 75% passenger seat limit for inbound flights will be lifted from January 8, 2023

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On December 28, the website of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued a notice on the work plan for the resumption of international passenger flights, according to the “Notice on the Issuance of the General Plan for the Implementation of “Category B Control” for Novel Coronavirus Infection” issued by the Joint Prevention and Joint Control Mechanism of the State Council (Joint Prevention and Joint Control Mechanism General Issue [2022] No. 144). No. 144) and the “Notice on Temporary Measures for the Movement of Chinese and Foreigners” issued by the Foreign Affairs Group of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council to Respond to the Novel Coronavirus Epidemic, a work plan for the resumption of international passenger flights is hereby formulated and will be implemented from January 8, 2023. The relevant matters are notified as follows.

I. General principles

Efficient coordination of operational safety, epidemic prevention and control and industry recovery and development, in accordance with the principle of safety first, market-led, security first, and steadily promote the resumption of international passenger flights to meet the needs of international people-to-people and foreign trade and economic exchanges.

II. Specific measures

no longer implement the “five one” and “one country one policy” and other regulatory measures for international passenger flights, Chinese and foreign airlines in accordance with bilateral transport agreements to arrange the operation of scheduled passenger flights.
Gradually resume accepting applications for international passenger charter flights from Chinese and foreign airlines, and fully restore the process and requirements to those before the epidemic in the summer and autumn seasons of 2023; resume accepting applications for inbound business flights according to the process before the epidemic.
Optimize the inbound flight guarantee process at each port airport, improve operational efficiency, cancel the “four designated, four fixed, two centralized” and other prevention and control requirements, fully release the guarantee resources, and enhance the guarantee capacity of receiving international flights. When the port airports have difficulties in guaranteeing airlines’ demand for additional flights within a short period of time due to insufficient personnel, facilities and equipment, they should make timely announcements, specify the restoration time, and explain the work well to the public. The Civil Aviation Administration guides Chinese and foreign airlines to strengthen communication with relevant port airports in advance and arrange capacity reasonably.
no longer define inbound high-risk flights, and cancel the 75% occupancy limit for inbound flights.
cancel inbound flights involving airport related inbound security personnel, domestic and international crew closed-loop management, inbound nucleic acid testing and inbound quarantine measures, require personnel to do a good job of personal protection and health monitoring, require aircrew to wear masks and hand disinfection, do a good job of cabin lavatory disinfection, strengthen publicity and guidance, and supervise passengers to wear masks.
strengthen the safety supervision of international passenger airline flight operations of Chinese and foreign airlines to establish a firm safety bottom line.
strengthen the management of international air transport prices, according to bilateral air transport agreements and relevant national price laws and regulations, in conjunction with market supervision departments to strengthen the supervision and inspection of international air transport prices unfair competition, to maintain the normal price order of the air transport market, to protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers and operators.

Third, the implementation arrangements

The Civil Aviation Administration takes the lead in promoting the resumption of international passenger flights, is responsible for refining and announcing specific measures and arrangements, doing a good job of communicating with foreign civil aviation authorities, coordinating the various units of the industry to do a good job of operational safety, epidemic prevention and control and production organization, and strengthening synergies with relevant departments and local governments to ensure the safe and smooth resumption of international passenger flights.