Operating in the PRC is expensive, as there are fees for everything. First, entering China with the intention to land triggers the “China Compensation Fee” assessed to non-mainland-registered aircraft (which means Hong Kong operators must pay it, too) of $3,000. Charter operators get hit even harder with “reimbursement fees” for equivalent air fares that can run as high as $6,000 for Gulfstream-class aircraft.

Since nearly all civil airports exist to support airline service, only a handful have FBOs, Hong Kong Aviation Group’s Buchholz reminded readers. “Accordingly, make arrangements with your handler for ground transportation and CIQ,” he said. “Understand that you may have to queue up with the airline passengers for immigration clearance. The Chinese are getting used to business aviation, but they do not have many FBOs. Pilots will therefore be busier and should be able to think on their feet to deal with last-minute changes. Security is generally good.”