Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is the primary regulatory authority responsible for civil aviation within the People's Republic of China. It operates under the Ministry of Transport and functions as the industry supervisor, setting safety standards, managing airspace, and issuing operating licences. Within the global aerospace value chain, the CAAC acts as the gatekeeper for airworthiness certification, ensuring that all aircraft and components manufactured or operated in China meet national and international safety requirements. The organisation oversees all domestic airlines and airports, managing the certification processes for indigenous programmes such as the COMAC C919 and ARJ21. It maintains bilateral aviation safety agreements with international bodies including the FAA and EASA to facilitate the cross-border acceptance of aeronautical products. The CAAC is also responsible for the licensing of flight crews, maintenance personnel, and the management of air traffic control services across Chinese sovereign airspace. Prospective partners or suppliers must verify the specific regional administration or department relevant to their operational requirements, as the CAAC manages oversight through several geographic bureaux. Buyers of Chinese-certified aircraft should confirm the status of bilateral airworthiness agreements between the CAAC and their local national aviation authority to ensure seamless entry into service. Compliance with CAAC technical standard orders (CTSO) is mandatory for any hardware or software integrated into the Chinese civil aviation infrastructure.