China Operations Presented by: Jimmy Young, Country Manager
Universal Aviation China and
John Perry, Delta Team Lead
Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc.
Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference | San Antonio, TX | January 22 – 25, 2013
Agenda
• Trip Planning Overview
• Permits and Slots
• Visas Requirements
• Airport & CIQ Procedures
• Ground Handling and Fueling
• Security, Hotels, Ground Transportation, Catering
• Cultural Considerations
Trip Planning Overview
• Be aware of flight planning limitations
• Normally allowed just 5 stops before having to exit the country
• Avoid restricted airways in China
– Many airways in China are dedicated to local airline operations and are not permitted for business aircraft
• Flights to and from China cannot overfly or land in Taiwan
• Local navigator required when flying to certain domestic airfields
• Minimize permit changes
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Permits and Slots
• Things to know when preparing a permit application:
– Advance submission doesn't necessary guarantee an earlier approval
– Official permit process usually takes 2-3 business days
– Avoid making changes if at all possible
– It is common to receive permit confirmation a day or two before the scheduled flight
• Lead time recommended to prep your permit application depends on the number of stops:
– 1-3 intl/dom stops that are not slot regulated (3-5 business days before ETD)
– More than 2 stops in major cities with slot restrictions (5 business days before ETD)
– 3-7 intl/dom stops throughout country (7 business days before ETD)
– First time operators should plan more time
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Permits and Slots
• Permit applications should include the following:
• Names, nationality, addresses, contact phone and fax number of the aircraft owners and operators.
• Aircraft nationality and Registration marks.
• Aircraft type, Maximum takeoff weight and available seating capacity.
• Names, nationality, date of birth, and passport numbers of all crew and passengers.
• If an aircraft is carrying Republic of China (Taiwan) nationals on board, advance notice is required and additional approval must be received from the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
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Permits and Slots
• Schedule in UTC time. No TBA times.
• Entry / Exit points at national boundaries along with a detailed routing
within China`s territory.
• Nature of flight and specific flight purpose.
• Whether the aircraft is carrying weapons, dangerous goods and special
items.
• Business contact information to include the name of the contact and
company, title of the contact, address of the company, phone and fax of
the contact and company.
• If the aircraft is less than 7 tons or using propeller driven engines,
cruising levels and range must be supplied.
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Permits and Slots
• For charter applications, copies of the following documents must also be submitted with the application:
• Aircraft Registration
• Airworthiness Certificate
• Insurance Certificate
• Noise Certificate
• Pilots Weather Minima
• Pilot`s License
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Permits and Slots
• CAAC considers an international arrival/departure as one complete schedule on a landing permit application
• In principle, CAAC is not likely to approve a schedule with more than 8 legs (7 stops); unless a valid reason (determined by CAAC) is given for the purpose of the flight
• Permission for smaller aircraft (MTOW less than 7,000kg and propeller-driven) will be considered by CAAC on case-by-case basis
– Smaller aircraft not permitted to operate into any airport with more than 200 movements per day
– If the flight is a must, operator must provide a written explanation and state purpose of flight
– Along with the explanation, operator must supply aircraft performance data and other certificates upon request
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Permits and Slots
• How to apply for permission to operate into a restricted airport (military):
– Minimum lead time of 20 working days
– Local government invitation letter
– Sponsor letter from local company
– Arrange for a bilingual Chinese pilot to serve as the navigator onboard
– Clear CIQ prior to arrival and after departure from restricted airport
– Keep in mind, even with local government invitation letter, permit approval is not a guarantee
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Permits and Slots
• How to apply for permission into a higher-altitude airport:
– Must provide CAAC with a valid reason/purpose when requesting to operate into a higher-altitude airport
– Both pilots must be in good health condition and able to provide a copy of his/her most recent medical certificate
– Copy of pilot license and flight record showing the pilot has experience flying in/out of similar higher-altitude airport(s) in other parts of the world
– Must have a local experienced pilot to serve as the navigator on board
– Aircraft must meet altitude performance and safety requirements
– If an aircraft is refitted to meet the high altitude requirements, operator must provide a copy of the certificate to CAAC during the time an application is submitted.
– Must have an invitation letter from the local government and serve as the sponsor for the flight as well
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Permits and Slots
• How to apply for permission for a demo flight:
– Minimum of 7 business days lead time required (1 or 2 stops)
– Additional lead time is required if multiple domestic legs are in schedule
– Include all the steps required for business flight application
– Sponsor letter is required from each of the customers/companies that are being invited for the demo
– Formal letter from operator to CAAC, including demo purpose, list of local participants, list of airports demo is taking place, and a complete schedule
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Permits and Slots
• Sponsor letters
– What is a sponsor letter?
– Who can issue sponsor letters?
– Local sponsor‟s responsibilities
– One sponsor can only cover up to 5 different cities
on a schedule submitted to CAAC
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Sponsor letter
ATTN: CAAC
(Introduction of the company issuing the letter)
Receiving company name, the business registration number, the registered address and time
(flight purpose)
Invited by XXX (receiving party or company), Mr. XXX(must include the passenger‟s title, company and
company‟s nationality) will come by business flight to China, to discuss cooperation matters with XXX
(receiving party or company).
Aircraft Type is XX, and the registration number is XX, flight number is XXX.
Trip itinerary:
Xx/xx/2012 From City A to City B
Xx/xx/2012 From City B to City C
Passenger information
Name / duty/ nationality / passport number / date of birth / Title
We are the receiving party for this business flight. Now we„d like to apply for the landing permission and
We will really appreciate your great help. Thank you very much.
Company chop
Local contact information:
Name: title:
Tel number:
Mobile number:
Permits and Slots
• Large cabin aircraft with seating configuration of more than 29 are usually treated as commercial charter
– CAAC will ask for proof and provide relative documents to show the aircraft is being used as a non-revenue business jet
– Need to provide pictures of interior layout to show the seating of the aircraft
• High operating costs
– CAAC charges a “compensation fee” of about $3,000 for every entry into China
– Navigation fees are high – running about $.44 /km
• Operations from China to Taiwan are only permitted for Taiwan or China registered aircraft
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Permits and Slots
• CAAC may change routing without explanation
• Multiple changes could result in denied permit
– Permit clearances must be followed precisely
– Airway restrictions and altitude hold-downs still occur
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Permits and Slots
• One aircraft will not be allowed to occupy two
slots in the same day between 0800-2200
local at the following major airports
– Beijing / Beijing Capital Airport
– Shanghai / Pudong Airport
– Shanghai / Hongqiao Airport
– Guangzhou / Guangzhou Baiyun Airport
– Shenzhen / Shenzhen Bao‟an Airport
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Permits and Slots
• Slot limitation for foreign-registered aircraft at both Beijing and Shanghai (ZSSS/ZSPD) between 0800-2200 local:
– Beijing / Beijing Capital Airport: GA is given 15 slots per day
– Shanghai / Pudong Airport: GA is given 10 slots per day
– Shanghai / Hongqiao Airport: GA is given 10 slots per day
• Slot restrictions do not apply to Hong Kong or Macau registered aircraft
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Permits and Slots
• Requested slot time may be adjusted by CAAC on final approval
– Always look at the slot time carefully
– Do not assume you will get the slots you asked for
– Once the permit is approved, the slot‟s time on the permit confirmation are also approved (no separate slot confirmation will be issued)
– Airports with slot regulations: • Beijing / Shanghai (both airports)
• Guangzhou
• Shenzhen
• Chengdu
• Kunmig
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Permits and Slots
• Restrictions for Shanghai Hongqiao/ZSSS airport:
– Aircraft operating to/from Eastern direction of
Hongqiao/ZSSS airport, using LAMEN entry point, will
be assigned to land at Pudong/ZSPD airport instead
– Traffic operating in/out of ARGUK and MAGIT (N.E.
direction) are also prohibited from using Hongqiao
Airport during that same period of time
– This is mainly due to crossed path airway structure and
number of domestic carriers operating in and out of
Hongqiao airport
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Visa Requirements
• Obtaining proper crew visas are critical. Crew must have a C visa prior to arrival.
• Multi-entry visas available with proof of multi-entry schedule requirement
• Crew arriving or leaving the country on commercial airlines will need a separate visa other than a crew visa (without any pre-arrangement)
• Crew visas are typically only valid for 7 days (crew may travel to Hong Kong or a nearby country to extend their visas if crew is required to stay longer than anticipated)
• U.S citizens cannot obtain visas on arrival
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Visa Requirements
• The following nationalities are exempted from visas under the following circumstances:
– Citizens of Japan, Singapore, Brunei to stay within 15 days
– All nationals with 24-hour transit purpose but the passenger cannot leave the airport (fuel stop)
• Visas on arrival are available for the following nationalities at the airports listed:
– Russian: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen
– British: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen
– Australian: Beijing, Shanghai
– German: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen
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Airport and CIQ procedures
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Popular tourist airports not open to foreign-registered aircraft:
ZULS Lasa Gongga Airport
ZBSH Qinghuangdao Shanhaiguan Airport
ZPLJ Lijiang Sanyi Airport
ZPQD Diqing Shangri-la Airport
ZSTX Huangshan Tunxi Airport
ZGDY Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport
ZLDH Dunhuang Airport
ZHLY Luoyang Airport
ZUJZ Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport
ZPJH Xishuangbanna Jinhong Airport
Airport and CIQ Procedures
• Some airports are using QFE approaches
• Changing slots can be difficult at major airports (30-minute window on arrival/departure recommended)
• Slots required at ZBAA (Beijing); ZSPD (Shanghai-Pudong); ZGSZ (Shenzen); ZGGG (Guangzhou); ZPPP (Kunming); ZUUU (Chengdu); ZSSS (Hongqiao)
• Customs procedures vary from airport to airport
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Airport and CIQ Procedures
• Use a qualified handler to avoid mishaps on the ground
• Make sure local agent is on-site
• Pax cannot enter country on C visa
• “FBOs” in China may feel more like an airline terminal
• More and more FBOs or FBO-like facilities are being developed across the country and infrastructure continues to improve
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Fuel
• Pre-plan jet fuel uplifts
– Most airports do not accept major credit cards
– Fuel must be pre-arranged contract fuel or paid with cash (much higher rate)
– Fuel credit is available at about 98% of airports in China with preplanning
• Consider China as a fuel tech stop
– In principle, CAAC will not approve Beijing and Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen for tech-stop purposes
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Ground Handling
• FBOs in China
– Beijing (Beijing Capital Jet FBO)
– Shanghai (Shanghai Hawker Pacific FBO at Hongqiao Airport)
– Shenzhen (Shenzhen Deer Jet FBO)
• Do not attempt to self handle in China
• Handler should be local in case problems arise
• Returning to your aircraft may not be an easy process
• Hangar space limited (bring tow bar)
• Tipping handlers can be frowned upon, particularly outside of major cities
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Security
• China is considered to be fairly secure from
the airport security perspective
• Private security not permitted on ramp
• Guns onboard must be locked up
• Local bodyguards and executive protection
are available for hire
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Ground Transport
• Pre-book ground transportation through trip support provider or local handler
• Have transportation arrive 15-20 minutes early to avoid delays
• Avoid local taxis due to language barriers
• Reconfirm all bookings
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Catering
• Catering usually good at major airports (Western food normally available)
• Use hotel in remote areas
• At some locations, quarantine officer will oversee food disposal when you land
• Western newspapers are often hard to come by (even if you were able to get a copy, it will most likely to be a day or two old)
• Bringing wines and expensive liquor off board could be an issue
•
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Cultural Considerations
• Prepare for local holidays – Business shuts down during major holiday periods including National Day (early October) and Lunar New Year which varies each year
• Book hotel accommodations in advance
– Stick with major international chains
– Quality hotels are often limited, especially in more remote regions so book early
– Be specific when booking a hotel. Don‟t just say “Beijing Marriot.” There may be 5 Marriot‟s in the city, so be specific with your handler and ground transportation
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Cultural Considerations
• Prepare passengers and crew for traffic congestion
– Traffic delays are common and trips from the city to the airport can take more than an hour
• Consider pre-trip health vaccinations
– Hepatitis A & B vaccines recommended
• Be careful of water quality or just drink bottled water
• When eating at smaller local restaurants be careful of poultry that may not meet Western standards
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Thank You
Questions?
32 Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference | San Antonio, TX | January 22 – 25, 2013
