Drones fly between high-rise buildings to deliver meals, take an "air taxi" to catch a plane during the congested morning rush hour, and receive "airdrop" material support from drones when mountaineering in the wild... What was once a science fiction movie scene is gradually becoming a reality. Life.

As new aircraft are gradually used in tourism, logistics, and emergency rescue, the low-altitude economy has become a strategic emerging industry in global competition.

In the future, who will be carried away by the low-altitude economy?

Policy Environment

　　In recent years, my country has increasingly attached greater importance to the low-altitude economy, and has successively introduced a series of supporting policies, such as relaxing low-altitude airspace restrictions and lowering the threshold for general aviation operations, to create a good policy environment for the development of the low-altitude economy.

　　In February 2021, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council issued the "National Comprehensive Three-dimensional Transportation Network Planning Outline", which proposed "developing transportation platform economy, hub economy, channel economy, and low-altitude economy". The concept of "low-altitude economy" was written into the national plan for the first time.

In December 2023, the Central Economic Work Conference proposed “creating several strategic emerging industries such as biomanufacturing, commercial aerospace, and low-altitude economy.”

　　In order to encourage the development and innovation of the low-altitude economy, relevant documents have also been issued intensively, such as the "14th Five-Year Plan for Civil Aviation Development" issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the "14th Five-Year Plan General Plan" issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. "Special Plan for Aviation Development" and "Overall Plan for the Construction of Low-altitude Flight Service Support System", as well as the "Interim Regulations on Unmanned Aircraft Flight Management" issued by the State Council and the Central Military Commission in June 2023 to take effect from January 1, 2024, etc.

These policies provide clear and broad market prospects for the development of the industry, and also provide a good production and operation environment for relevant enterprises.

Industrial Development

　　After the 2021 "National Comprehensive Three-dimensional Transportation Network Planning Outline" clearly proposed the development of low-altitude economy, in line with the pace of low-altitude airspace management reform, the enthusiasm for "developing toward the sky" in many regions across the country has further increased.

Many provinces have launched pilot projects, and new application scenarios such as urban air mobility (UAM), advanced air mobility (AAM), and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (EVTOL) have been gradually expanded, and the integration of aircraft and various industries has accelerated.

For example, Shenzhen is increasing its efforts to deploy low-altitude economic industries by leveraging its industry-university-research and market application first-mover advantages in the fields of drones and low-altitude navigation.

　　According to statistics from the China Business Industry Research Institute, as of the end of 2022, 661 traditional general aviation companies had obtained general aviation operating licenses, a net increase of 62 companies from the end of the previous year; a total of 958,000 drones were registered in the industry, and China’s civil drones The market size reached 119.6 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 37.63%.

According to a white paper released by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Digital Economy Research Institute, the contribution value of the low-altitude economy to my country's national economy will reach 3 trillion to 5 trillion yuan by 2025.

　　The development of low-altitude economy is of great significance to our country.

First of all, with the development of the general aviation industry, low-altitude economy has become a new economic growth point.

The general aviation industry has the characteristics of long industrial chain, high added value, and strong driving ability. It can provide opportunities for transformation and upgrading of traditional manufacturing industries and promote the rise of emerging industries.

Secondly, low-altitude economy helps promote coordinated regional development.

For some remote areas or economically underdeveloped areas, the development of low-altitude economy can help transform resource advantages into economic advantages and enhance local economic strength.

future direction

　　Although our country has made some progress in the field of general aviation, there is still a gap compared with the international advanced level.

General aviation airports, flight service stations and other infrastructure are important supports for the development of low-altitude economy. At present, our country still has considerable room for improvement in these aspects.

In addition, the imperfect safety supervision system is also one of the factors restricting the development of my country's low-altitude economy.

　　In order to enhance our country's competitiveness in the low-altitude economic field, we must strengthen technological innovation and talent training.

Investment in research and development in the general aviation field should be increased, enterprises should be encouraged to strengthen independent innovation and enhance core technology competitiveness.

At the same time, the comparative advantages of drone development will be further expanded.

UAVs are the main support for the development of low-altitude economy. my country is already in a leading position in the field of UAVs and needs to continuously consolidate and improve its leading advantages.

　　In the context of globalization, the government should actively promote cooperation and exchanges in the field of general aviation between my country and international advanced countries, and introduce advanced technology and management experience.

At the same time, it actively participates in the formulation of international standards and international organizational activities to enhance my country’s voice and influence in the international low-altitude economic field.

(Banyuetan reporter Liang Xizhi)