China has imposed a 40-day ban on civil aviation from an area in Shanghai airspace, covering 73,000 square kilometres, roughly twice the size of Taiwan.
The restriction, announced on March 27, was published by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and took effect a few hours later.
Security expert Benjamin Blandin believes the ban is likely for military use, citing the extensive geographical area and prolonged duration of the restriction.
Aviation and defence consultant Xavier Tytelman agrees, stating that the restriction is 'out of the ordinary' in terms of its size, duration, and lack of altitude limits.
The ban covers two zones over the Yellow Sea and three others straddling the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, but does not necessarily apply to military planes, helicopters, or drones.
