- China reserved five patches of airspace off its northeast coast for 40 days.
- The restriction began on 27 March 2026 and runs until 06 May 2026.
- The zones extend 550 kilometres from the Yellow Sea to near Shanghai with no upper limit.
- No military drills have been announced for the full period of the reservation.
- The measures apply to all air activity including space trajectories.
China has reserved five patches of airspace off its northeast coast for a 40-day period that runs from 27 March 2026 until 06 May 2026. Authorities issued the Notice to Air Missions without providing an explanation for the restriction which covers zones from the Yellow Sea down to the East China Sea near Shanghai. The reserved areas extend approximately 550 kilometres and apply to all air activity with no upper altitude limit.
Beijing typically issues such reservations ahead of military drills but no exercises have been announced for the full duration of the period. The airspace measures coincide with the timing of the Artemis II lunar flyby mission and overlap with a visit to China by Taiwan opposition leader Chen Li-wun. The zones lie north of Taiwan and in areas where the People’s Liberation Army conducts activities.
Aviation authorities received the alerts to inform them of temporary hazards along flight routes. The reservation remains in effect as of 09 April 2026. Chinese officials have not commented further on the purpose of the extended restriction.
Chinese authorities shared “The reservation informs aviation authorities of temporary hazards along a flight route or at a specific location.”
