From national strategy to industry implementation, the AI + civil aviation roadmap is taking shape
State Council strategic plan: AI overall technology and applications on par with world leaders by 2025, and China a major global AI innovation center by 2030.
First inclusion of "AI Plus" in the Government Work Report — AI is tightly coupled with industrial upgrading, a rare opportunity for aviation digitalization.
Phased goals and practical measures across technology, industry, consumption, livelihood, governance and international cooperation — deep AI integration across the economy.
Jointly issued by MOT, NDRC, MIIT, National Data Administration, railway, CAAC and postal authorities — four tasks: key technology supply, scenario empowerment, factor support and industry ecosystem.
CAAC Doc. [2025] No. 24 — top-level design and implementation plan for aviation AI: six domains, 42 scenarios, two-phase goals, plus the Civil Aviation AI Application Scenario Reference Guide.
Issued by SAMR with the Central ATM Office, NDRC and others; the low-altitude economy standards system to be basically established by 2027.
Classified airspace management enters law; differentiated airworthiness standards for light/medium/heavy drones and eVTOL. Full-chain accountability — unauthorized flights now actionable; approvals standardized.
Key policy documents shaping "AI + civil aviation" and the low-altitude economy
Understanding the Opinions on High-Quality "AI + Civil Aviation" Development
Implementing central decisions on AI and empowering the industry, focused on key aviation scenarios and real bottlenecks; compiled by the Smart Civil Aviation Leading Group office with management institutes, airlines, airports, ATC, construction and information-service organizations.
A systematic framework of intelligent application scenarios answering "where does AI apply, what does it solve", with the Reference Guide detailing 42 scenarios in three maturity classes.
Industry integration: a shared, collaborative aviation AI ecosystem. Industrial integration: coordination with upstream and downstream chains, guiding smart upgrades of domestic aviation equipment.
By 2027 pioneering integration with early results on core supports; by 2030 broad and deep integration with improving governance and safety systems — a strong engine for high-quality civil aviation development.