Oct 16, 2009 

Bradley Perrett/Beijing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Joseph C. Anselmo/Washington This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Chinese business aviation is breaking, giving manufacturers the hope of selling large volumes of aircraft in a market that has always had great potential but frustratingly little immediate value.

The authorities are now accepting flight plans just three hours before takeoff as a standard policy, whereas previously they often needed to receive them the day before.

The speedy approvals process should go a long way toward unlocking the flexibility that is the main selling point of business aircraft and thereby make Chinese far more interested in buying them, say industry executives.

It is still harder to fly privately in China than elsewhere, especially because