Low-altitude economy development requires establishing standards and clearing bottlenecks

Securities Times Reporter Wu Shaolong

Recently, ten departments jointly released the “Low Altitude Economy Standard System,” covering five major sectors: aircraft, infrastructure, air traffic control, and others. It aims to establish a basic low-altitude economy standard system that is optimized in structure, advanced and reasonable, and internationally compatible by 2030. The implementation of standards is not the end goal; only by solving practical issues such as airspace management and supporting infrastructure can the low-altitude economy truly become accessible to ordinary people and become an important growth driver of new productive forces.

The potential of the low-altitude economy is widely recognized. The Civil Aviation Administration of China predicts that by 2035, the market size of China’s low-altitude economy could exceed 3.5 trillion yuan. In recent years, low-altitude economy operations have been piloted in many regions. Hefei has built a low-altitude delivery network, Shenzhen has enabled AI-powered low-altitude flight services, and scenarios such as drone patrols, low-altitude logistics, and manned sightseeing are gradually being implemented. The low-altitude economy has moved from a “conceptual hype” to “standardized operation.” The release of this standard system precisely fills the gap of lacking unified norms in technology and management, drawing a “construction blueprint” for industry development and avoiding disorderly competition and redundant construction.

Despite the enthusiasm, practical challenges remain. Many regions fall into the trap of “overemphasizing standards and neglecting implementation.” Issues such as complicated airspace approval processes, lagging infrastructure, and talent shortages restrict industry development. Some places lack sufficient takeoff and landing points and charging facilities, making it difficult to operate. Core technological weaknesses still exist, and market-oriented profit models are not yet mature. These “airspace blockages” and “ground difficulties” hinder the transformation of standards into tangible industry vitality.

To overcome implementation difficulties, coordinated efforts between government and enterprises are needed, with targeted actions. At the same time, safety must be prioritized, and民生需求 (people’s livelihood needs) should be considered. This includes optimizing airspace management, simplifying flight approval procedures to ensure smooth low-altitude flights, and addressing infrastructure and technological shortcomings. Special emphasis should be placed on strengthening core technology research, innovating financial models to attract social capital, and encouraging enterprises to shift from “focusing on scale and neglecting effectiveness” to deepening niche scenarios. This will ensure low-altitude services truly meet the needs of logistics, urban management, cultural tourism, and other民生 (people’s livelihood) sectors.

From conceptual exploration to standard formulation, from pilot breakthroughs to scaled development, the growth of the low-altitude economy is a gradual process. Standards set the rules for the industry, but actual implementation results are the true measure of industry value. Whether it is the convenience and efficiency of cross-city freight or the novel experience of manned sightseeing, the ultimate goal is to make these services accessible and beneficial to the public, providing tangible convenience.

(Edited by: Wang Zhiqiang HF013)

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