Passports no longer accepted for check-in
Passengers from Chinese mainland can only check in with an ID card when taking domestic flights at some airports, while previously they could use a passport to check in, according to a new rule that went into effect last week. It remains unknown whether overseas passengers will also face any limitations on identification documents for check-in.
The Global Times reporter confirmed on Monday that the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, Zhuhai Jinwan Airport in South China's Guangdong Province and Hefei Xinqiao International Airport in East China's Anhui Province only accept the ID card as the valid identification document for check-in from the mainland passengers, according to customer service staff from the airports.
Mainland passengers who take flights using passport numbers or transit in mainland cities are also required to check in with their ID cards for domestic flights.
The airports mentioned above told the Global Times on Monday that the new rule had taken effect last week, following a notice from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
A staffer from the CAAC's information office did not confirm the notice when reached by the Global Times, but said that the CAAC is also checking whether the restriction will be applied by all mainland airports. Whether foreigners and passengers from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan will be affected by the new rule remains unknown, he said.
The Beijing Capital International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport said mainland passengers can still check in with their passports at the airports.
However, the new rule has been questioned by many passengers, especially those who are living or studying overseas, or transiting to overseas destinations via mainland cities.
A student from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, told the Global Times that his ID card went missing when he was studying in Germany, and now he has to take a direct flight or transfer from overseas cities, instead of transferring in other domestic cities as he used to do.
"I don't understand why I need to show my ID card when a passport can also prove my identity. It brings inconvenience as one needs to always carry the ID card when traveling abroad, and if the ID card is lost, it brings more trouble," wrote Sina Weibo user "Milanshi."
Meanwhile, some Net users noted that the new rule can prevent criminals from fleeing via flights, as many of them use fake passports to check in.
