Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year) significantly impacts business aviation due to airport congestion, service unavailability, and exceptionally high demand across Asia. Countries such as 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 2026, Lunar New Year falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Civil Aviation Closures and Permit Requirements

China

Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) in 2026 begins on February 17 and the official public holiday period runs February 15 through February 23, 2026.

Due to the national holiday:

• The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) will operate with limited staff; most offices will be closed except for urgent on-duty matters.

• Permit processing is expected to be delayed.

• Operators must submit all permit requests well in advance to minimize operational risk and avoid last-minute rejections.

Planning tip: avoid relying on short-notice permit issuance during this period as capacity is constrained.

Vietnam

Vietnam typically observes its Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday shortly before and after the Lunar New Year date. Expect government closures and limited operations affecting:

• Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV)

• Immigration

• Permit, slot, and visa processing

Operators requiring Vietnam overflight or landing permits must submit requests with sufficient lead time before the holiday begins. Urgent requests during the holiday may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis, but early submission is strongly recommended.

Hong Kong

• Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) will be closed from February 17–19, 2026.

• Applications for private non-revenue and charter flights will not be processed during this closure.

• Permit and slot applications should be finalized well before February 17 to avoid delays.

Fireworks display at Hong Kong Victoria Bay on Chinese New Year Celebration

 Hong Kong

• Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) will be closed from February 17–19, 2026.

• Applications for private non-revenue and charter flights will not be processed during this closure.

• Permit and slot applications should be finalized well before February 17 to avoid delays.

Macao

• Macao CAA will be closed February 16–19, 2026 for Lunar New Year.

• Operators should plan permit submissions with ample lead time.

Taiwan

• Taiwan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be off duty from 0900Z February 13 to 0100Z February 23, 2026.

• Operators planning Taiwan stops prior to February 24 must submit permit requests no later than 0700Z on February 12, 2026 to ensure sufficient processing time.

• Overflight permits for Taiwan will continue to be processed throughout the holiday.

South Korea

• Korea observes Lunar New Year holidays, typically including February 16–18, 2026.

• Expect closures of civil aviation offices and limited governmental support for permits, slots, and related services.

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:

1. Submit Permit Requests Early:
2. Book Parking and Slots in Advance:
   • Airports such as VMMC, VHHH, and ZJSY will experience severe congestion.
3. Secure Hotel Accommodations Months Ahead:
   • Hotel availability will be extremely limited due to high demand.
4. Arrange Third-Party Services with Significant Lead Time:
   • Catering and transportation should be planned well in advance.
5. Avoid Last-Minute Requests:
   • While urgent requests may be accommodated in some cases, advance preparation minimizes operational risks.
6. 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.