Lunar New Year 2025 – How it impacts business aviation ops
Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year) significantly impacts business aviation due to airport congestion, service unavailability, and high demand across Asia. Countries like China, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Laos, and others celebrate this holiday, which often results in a week or more of reduced business activity. Based on the lunar calendar, Lunar New Year falls annually between late January and mid-February.
In 2025, Lunar New Year falls on Monday, January 29th. Below is an overview of the expected impact and planning recommendations for business aviation during this period.
Red Chinese lanterns display, taken at the Chinese temple for New Year celebrations.
Civil Aviation Closures and Permit Requirements
China
The Chinese Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC) will be off duty from 0830Z January 27 to 0030Z February 5, 2025. Operators must submit all permit requests by 0100Z January 27, 2025, to ensure timely processing.
While the CAAC on-duty office will remain open during the holiday, short-notice permits may only be issued just before flight departure. Operators are advised to avoid relying on short-notice requests during this period to minimize operational risks.
Vietnam
Vietnam will observe its Lunar New Year holiday from January 25 to February 2, 2025. During this time, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) and the Immigration Department will not be working.
- Operators requiring Vietnam overflight or landing permits, slots, or visa applications must submit requests by January 23, 2025.
- Urgent requests during the holiday may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis, but advance preparation is strongly recommended to avoid disruptions.
Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) slot and permit office will close from January 29 to 31, 2025. Permit applications should be finalized well in advance.
Airport Congestion in Hong Kong, Macau and Sanya
Fireworks display at Hong Kong Victoria Bay on Chinese New Year Celebration
Macau and Hong Kong
Expect heavy congestion at major Chinese airports, particularly at Macau (VMMC) and Hong Kong (VHHH), from January 25 through February 5, 2025. Parking and slot availability will be extremely limited, requiring early arrangements.
Sanya Airport (ZJSY)
Sanya Airport, located on Hainan Island, will not permit overnight parking for private jets from January 14 to February 22, 2025, due to high traffic volumes. Operators should plan alternative parking locations in advance, as this popular vacation destination will experience high demand from both private jets and commercial airlines.
Third-Party Service Availability
The holiday period creates extreme demand for third-party services, including:
- Catering services
- Ground transportation
- Hotel accommodations
Last-minute service requests face extremely low chances of fulfillment. For optimal planning, especially regarding hotel bookings during Chinese New Year, reservations should be made three months in advance.
Planning Recommendations
To ensure smooth operations during the Lunar New Year holiday period:
- Submit Permit Requests Early:
- For China: Submit by 0100Z January 27, 2025.
- For Vietnam: Submit by January 23, 2025.
- Book Parking and Slots in Advance:
- Airports such as VMMC, VHHH, and ZJSY will experience severe congestion.
- Secure Hotel Accommodations Months Ahead:
- Hotel availability will be extremely limited due to high demand.
- Arrange Third-Party Services with Significant Lead Time:
- Catering and transportation should be planned well in advance.
- Avoid Last-Minute Requests:
- While urgent requests may be accommodated in some cases, advance preparation minimizes operational risks.
- Plan for Limited Availability and Closures:
- Many government offices and services will be unavailable during the holiday.
Conclusion
Lunar New Year is one of the most significant holidays in Asia, profoundly affecting business aviation operations. Success during this period requires meticulous planning and preparation. Operators must account for government closures, limited service availability, and heightened demand when formulating operational strategies. Early submission of permit requests and pre-arranged parking, slots, and services are critical to minimizing disruptions. With thorough preparation, businesses can navigate the challenges of Lunar New Year and maintain seamless operations.
