UAV & Drones
China Revises Aviation Law to Regulate Drones and Passenger Rights
China updates its Civil Aviation Law to regulate drones with airworthiness certification and real-time tracking, plus enhanced passenger protections, effective July 2026.
This article summarizes reporting by Reuters and official announcements from the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
On Saturday, December 27, 2025, China’s top legislature passed a comprehensive revision to the country’s Civil Aviation Law, formally incorporating unmanned aircraft into its primary aviation legislation for the first time. According to reporting by Reuters and state media, the move is designed to regulate the booming drone sector and legitimize the “low-altitude economy.”
The revised law, which is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, introduces strict safety protocols, including mandatory airworthiness certifications for larger aircraft and technical enforcement mechanisms for registration. As reported by state media, the legislation aims to balance safety concerns regarding “black flying” (illegal flights) with the economic potential of aerial logistics and urban air mobility.
The revision comes as Beijing prioritizes the “low-altitude economy,” a sector encompassing drone delivery, aerial tourism, and flying taxis, as a critical engine for future economic growth. According to industry data cited in reports, the sector is projected to expand significantly in the coming years.
By establishing a clear legal framework, authorities aim to provide the regulatory certainty required for companies like SF Express and JD Logistics to scale operations from pilot zones to broader commercial networks.
The revised law creates a tiered framework based on the risk profile and size of the aircraft. According to the text of the legislation passed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, regulations will vary significantly between hobbyist devices and commercial-aircraft.
Under the new rules, entities involved in the design, production, and operation of medium and large civil unmanned aircraft must obtain airworthiness certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). However, exemptions have been carved out for the consumer market. Micro and light drones, typically under 250g and 4kg respectively, are exempt from airworthiness certification, though they remain subject to operational restrictions.
Building on previous interim rules, the law enforces a strict real-name registration system backed by technical mandates. Drones must now be technically incapable of taking off unless they have been activated and registered. This requirement effectively functions as a “kill switch” for non-compliant hardware.
Additionally, the law mandates real-time data transmission. During flight, drones must continuously transmit identification, location, and status data to authorities, facilitating a centralized surveillance network for low-altitude airspace. To address the global issue of airport disruptions, the law explicitly prohibits activities that interfere with the “airport electromagnetic environment.” This includes a strict ban on laser devices and signal-jamming equipment near airfields. Furthermore, civil airports are now legally required to possess capabilities to detect and neutralize unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles.
Beyond the drone sector, the revised Civil Aviation Law also strengthens protections for passengers on traditional commercial-aircraft flights. The legislation standardizes compensation responsibilities for both domestic and international carriers.
Airlines are now mandated to provide “appropriate measures,” such as care or compensation, for delays and cancellations caused by internal factors, including maintenance issues or crew scheduling. The law also requires carriers to inform passengers of the specific reasons for delays in a timely manner, improving information transparency.
The passage of this law marks a significant divergence between Chinese and Western regulatory philosophies regarding airspace management. While the United States (via the FAA) and the European Union focus on Remote ID for local identification and safety, China is implementing a highly centralized, networked system.
The requirement for real-time data transmission and the technical ability to ground unregistered drones suggests a system where the state maintains granular visibility and control over low-altitude traffic. For global manufacturers like DJI, this creates a bifurcated compliance landscape: one set of firmware and data protocols for the domestic Chinese market, and another for international exports.
Furthermore, the explicit inclusion of “medium and large” aircraft certification pathways is a regulatory win for eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) companies like EHang. By clarifying the path to airworthiness, the law removes ambiguity that has previously slowed the commercialization of autonomous passenger-carrying vehicles.
When does the new law take effect? Will hobbyist drones require certification? What happens if a drone is not registered? Sources: Reuters, Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Xinhua News Agency
China Passes Revised Aviation Law to Regulate Drones and Low-Altitude Economy
Formalizing the “Low-Altitude Economy”
Key Regulatory Provisions
Airworthiness and Exemptions
The “Kill Switch” and Real-Name Registration
Airport Safety Measures
Consumer Rights in Commercial Aviation
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
The revised Civil Aviation Law will officially come into force on July 1, 2026.
Micro and light drones (generally under 250g and 4kg) are exempt from the complex airworthiness certification process required for larger commercial-aircraft, but they must still adhere to real-name registration and operational rules.
Under the new technical mandates, unregistered drones will be technically restricted from taking off. Manufacturers must ensure their products require activation linked to a real-name registration before flight is possible.
Photo Credit: Montage