Aviation in China is regulated by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Operating under the Ministry of Transport, the CAAC is the supreme national authority responsible for everything from flight safety and pilot certification to the management of China's rapidly expanding airspace. Unlike the FAA in the US, which is a standalone agency, the CAAC has a highly centralized structure that oversees both the regulatory and developmental aspects of the industry, including the approval of new airline routes and the construction of massive hub airports like Beijing Daxing. In 2026, the CAAC is particularly focused on the certification and global expansion of China's domestically produced aircraft, such as the COMAC C919, and the integration of advanced Low-Altitude Economy (UAV and flying taxi) regulations. The CAAC also handles all air accident investigations within the People's Republic and sets the strict environmental and safety standards that every international carrier must follow when operating in Chinese territory.
The Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security that has authority over the security of transportation systems within, and connecting to the United States.