Abstract By synthesizing relevant research findings from China and other countries, this paper discusses the distribution and eruption types of volcanoes in China. An analysis of the spreading characteristics of volcanic ash possibly caused by volcanic eruptions such as those from Changbaishan is presented, and the impact of volcanic ash on aviation flight safety, as well as several key methods of monitoring volcanic ash, are discussed. This paper also outlines the operational process of China's aviation industry in addressing volcanic ash and compares and analyses the handling of volcanic ash by civil aviation industries globally. Further, ways of dealing with volcanic ash are then suggested for China's aviation industry.