The low-altitude economy epitomizes new productive forces, driving tech innovation and industrial upgrading
The 2026 Government Work Report designates the low-altitude economy asNational emerging pillar industryFirst in the National Comprehensive Transportation Network Plan (2021), a strategic emerging industry (2023), a national emerging pillar industry (2026) — its strategic status rising year by year.
CAAC adheres to "only what is well-regulated can open up", regulating people, aircraft, operators and service chains — a full-chain, full-coverage, intelligent low-altitude safety and oversight system.
The laboratory focuses on AI-empowered low-altitude economy — smart connected systems and comprehensive flight oversight platforms for real-time monitoring and smart scheduling.
From national planning to emerging pillar industry — rising strategic status year by year
The National Comprehensive Transportation Network Plan first includes the "low-altitude economy", marking its rise to national strategy.
The Central Economic Work Conference lists it among strategic emerging industries.
The Government Work Report calls for new growth engines including the low-altitude economy.
NDRC announces the new department for low-altitude strategy and medium/long-term planning.
The Government Work Report urges safe, healthy growth; ten departments issue the Low-Altitude Economy Standards Guide.
Designated a national emerging pillar industry; the revised Civil Aviation Law takes effect in July with classified airspace management.
From crop protection to urban air mobility — use cases keep expanding
Agricultural drones serve 460 million mu with precision operations; fleet 300k+
Automated line patrol with AI defect recognition — safer, more efficient
Rapid low-altitude response and airborne medical delivery — a new emergency channel
Regular low-altitude cargo routes and cross-city drone delivery, incl. Hainan duty-free first flight
eVTOL air taxis as a new urban mobility paradigm; ton-class eVTOL formation flight completed
Helicopter sightseeing and flight experiences — Shanghai Disneyland to Changbai Mountain routes
Grounded in CAAC's duties, underpinning low-altitude economic development
A full-chain, full-coverage, intelligent low-altitude safety & oversight system — stronger controls, better airport surveillance, strict prevention of rogue drone interference; aircraft traceable and controllable.
Aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan; compiling the special low-altitude civil aviation plan with clear goals, paths and key projects.
New low-altitude infrastructure: vertiport standards, general airports, VTOL pads and emergency landing sites, eVTOL-dedicated facilities.
Optimizing airworthiness review capacity and standards; accelerating low-altitude regulation revisions; pilot zones first.
A connected, multi-party working pattern — policy synergy, industry-academia alignment, public communication and consensus.
Smart connected low-altitude systems with satellite communication and BeiDou navigation for precise positioning and real-time monitoring, interoperable with the comprehensive oversight platform.
Anchoring goals for healthy, orderly low-altitude development
Vertiport standards; general airports, VTOL pads and emergency landing sites; eVTOL-dedicated facilities and shared-pad retrofits; navigation & surveillance with satellite comms and BeiDou.
Intelligent sensing and navigation/surveillance facilities with satellite comms and BeiDou for precise positioning and real-time monitoring, interoperable with oversight platforms.