China Enacts Sweeping Revisions to Drone Aviation Law, Mandating Airworthiness Certification

New Era for Drone Regulation in China

China's top legislative body, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, officially approved comprehensive revisions to the nation's Civil Aviation Law on December 27, 2025. These landmark changes introduce a formal regulatory framework for unmanned aircraft, with a key provision mandating airworthiness certification for drones. The updated law is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

The move is designed to bolster safety within China's rapidly expanding drone sector and address existing regulatory gaps. It also aims to provide a robust legal foundation for the country's strategic 'low-altitude economy,' which encompasses commercial activities below 3,000 meters, including drone logistics and passenger services.

Mandatory Airworthiness and Identification

Under the revised law, all entities involved in the design, production, import, maintenance, and operation of civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be required to obtain airworthiness certification, unless specifically exempted by national regulations. This expands upon previous 'interim regulations' implemented in 2024, which primarily focused on real-name registration for civil unmanned aircraft. While those interim rules exempted micro, light, and small drones from airworthiness certification, the new law broadens this requirement to a wider range of drone types and companies.

Furthermore, drone manufacturers will now be obligated to assign a unique product identification code to each unit, aligning with national standards. These measures are expected to bring greater oversight and accountability to the industry.

Impact on a Booming Industry

The introduction of stricter regulations comes as China's drone market continues its rapid growth. The low-altitude economy is projected to reach a value of over 2 trillion yuan ($280 billion) by 2030, a significant increase from an estimated 1.5 trillion yuan in 2025. This growth has, however, been accompanied by challenges, including instances of illegal drone operations causing flight delays in various cities, prompting the need for enhanced supervision.

Major drone manufacturers, such as DJI, the world's largest consumer drone maker, and EHang, known for its passenger drones, are among the companies that will need to adapt to the new certification requirements. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has been working towards establishing a risk-based UAV airworthiness management system since as early as 2019, laying the groundwork for these latest legislative changes.

Broader Regulatory Landscape

Beyond airworthiness, China's drone regulations also include other stringent requirements. These include compulsory real-name registration for nearly all drones weighing over 250 grams, strict no-fly zones around airports, government buildings, and military installations, and altitude restrictions, typically limiting flights to below 120 meters. Operators are also generally required to maintain Visual Line-of-Sight (VLOS) unless specific approvals for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations are granted.