Abbreviation of
民用航空 (mínyòng hángkōng, 'civilian-use aviation'). Contrasted with
军航 (jūnháng, military aviation). The regulatory body
中国民用航空局 is universally abbreviated
中国民航局 (CAAC). Until 1988, 'CAAC' was also the name of the only Chinese airline; it was later split into Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern.
