Beijing grounds non-commercial flights as it goes on full alert for annual people’s congress
Entertainment and hobby aircraft including planes, helicopters, gliders, drones and hot-air balloons have been grounded until March 16
Police authorities around the country are on full alert as the country prepares to hold the annual people’s congress.
Entertainment and hobby aircraft including planes, helicopters, gliders, drones and hot-air balloons have been grounded until March 16, Beijing’s Legal Evening News cited police as saying.
Individuals and organisations owning such machines must register with civil aviation, sports and public security authorities, the newspaper said.
While commercial airlines will be unaffected, companies will not be able to use aircraft for advertising purposes, and the taking of aerial photos has also been banned during the congress.
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The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the National People’s Congress will start tomorrow and Saturday, respectively.
In a national teleconference on Monday, Guo Shengkun, the minister of public security, called on police authorities to tighten controls throughout the congress period.