China Revamps Aviation Laws for Enhanced Safety

China's lawmakers will review draft revisions to the Civil Aviation Law to improve safety standards in the aviation industry. The amendments follow a fatal crash involving China Eastern Airlines in March 2022. Key changes include empowering captains and addressing disruptive behaviors on aircraft.

China's legislative body is set to review proposed revisions to the Civil Aviation Law this week, with the aim of bolstering safety measures within the aviation industry. These amendments come in the wake of last year's tragic China Eastern Airlines crash that claimed the lives of all 123 passengers and nine crew members.

The revisions, now before the National People's Congress Standing Committee for a first review, propose extensive changes to the original Civil Aviation Law, in place since 1996. Key updates prioritize security enhancements for civil aviation activities. Among the proposed changes, the law would empower aircraft captains to make crucial decisions during extraordinary situations and strictly prohibit disruptive behaviors.

Notably, the draft law also insists that civil airports develop capabilities to handle incidents involving unmanned aerial vehicles, addressing growing concerns over their potential impact. Legislation typically undergoes up to three rounds of review by the Standing Committee before it can proceed to a vote.