China’s civil aviation authority has dialled up its safety-focused communications with some foreign carriers from Southeast Asia in recent months to enhance ties, communication and oversight.
An aviation analyst said the move was made in light of changing operational practices, adding that air travel in the country remained safe.
In one recent interaction, the Civil Aviation Administration of China’s (CAAC)’s southwest regional office held a meeting with AirAsia Group at the end of July to “continuously strengthen safety operations and reinforce the primary safety responsibility of foreign airlines”, according to mainland Chinese media reports citing a CAAC circular.
In attendance were AirAsia’s senior management members, including the group chief safety officer, the CEO of AirAsia X – the company’s long-haul service subsidiary – as well as the China regional manager and engineering director, among others.
AirAsia briefed CAAC officials on its China operations and compliance plans to further enhance safety, the reports said. In response, CAAC officials “fully affirmed” AirAsia’s efforts, track record and cooperation.
AirAsia did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the South China Morning Post.
In March, CAAC’s office for southwestern China also revealed on its website that it had summoned representatives from Malaysia-based cargo carrier Raya Airlines following “incidents”, including two instances of cabin depressurisation requiring emergency descent while in Chinese skies.
Raya’s directors overseeing operations, safety and maintenance heard requirements and safety recommendations from CAAC specialists and discussed rectification measures.
Aviation analyst Jason Zheng Lin said CAAC has one of the most stringent safety supervision regimens in the world and its meetings with operators were aimed at routinely reminding them of risks and areas for improvement.
“Such meetings are a routine measure to keep up communications and convey safety reminders ... All airlines, regardless of their nationality, could be called up,” said Zheng, who works with a Shanghai-based transport consultancy.
In 2025, CAAC also conducted a thorough operations audit of Hainan Airlines, one of the country’s largest carriers.
Zheng said that some events had led to amendments in operational practice and aviation safety this year, and CAAC had moved proactively to strengthen supervision during the summer travel peak. However, none of these events had led to serious incidents, he added.
“CAAC holding talks with airlines may be the most visible part of its work, but on top of these, the watchdog has [in] recent months increased inspection and checks on airlines’ work to troubleshoot any aircraft found to have risks,” Zheng said.
“Sometimes foreign firms may need time to get up to date with China’s extra or unique safety supervision, culture or policies, thus CAAC is stepping up its contact with them to help ensure full understanding and compliance.”
The analyst said that, among other measures, CAAC would invite Chinese airlines to share best practices and experience with foreign firms, especially smaller ones that have just launched their China operations.
For instance, in March, safety experts with leading domestic courier SF Airlines were invited to share their experience with Raya Airlines.
In October, CAAC convened a special meeting on foreign carrier safety operations, attended by Batik Air Malaysia, Myanmar National Airlines and others, to discuss some safety occurrences and prevention strategies.
“All these efforts on the part of CAAC and operators should further ensure peace of mind for travellers: flying in China, including on flights operated by foreign firms, remains extremely safe,” Zheng said.
Mainland China has maintained one of the safest civil aviation records globally over the past few decades. The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) regional safety performance data for North Asia, which includes mainland China, shows the regional accident rate well below the global baseline.
Before the fatal crash of China Eastern Airlines flight 5735 in 2022, the country had set a world civil aviation record by achieving over 100 million consecutive safe flight hours across more than 11 years of operation.
In 2025 alone, carriers logged over 14.5 million flight hours and 5.54 million take-offs handling 770 million passenger trips in China, with an operational safety record among the top tier worldwide, according to CAAC and IATA data.
In July, passengers aboard an Emirates Airbus A380 were left stranded on the tarmac for a gruelling 10 hours after a seven-hour flight from Dubai to Shanghai, which was forced to land at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport due to dangerous weather.
This incident – which occurred due to a mechanical breakdown and logistical issues – did not relate to the new safety rules, but saw the operator of Hangzhou’s airport come under fire for what was perceived as poor communication and inflexibility. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
