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 framework for low-altitude economy standards that are optimized, advanced, reasonable, and internationally compatible by 2030. Implementing standards is not the end goal; only by solving practical issues such as airspace management and infrastructure support can the low-altitude economy truly become accessible to ordinary people and become a new driver of productive growth.

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 economic operations have been piloted in multiple 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 shifted from a “conceptual hype” to a “regulated development.” The release of this standard system precisely addresses the previous lack of unified technical and management standards, providing a “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 growth. Some areas lack sufficient takeoff and landing sites and charging facilities, making operations difficult; core technological capabilities are still lacking, and market-oriented profit models are not yet mature. These “airspace bottlenecks” and “ground-level problems” hinder the transformation of standards into tangible industry vitality.

To overcome implementation difficulties, coordinated efforts between government and enterprises are needed, with targeted actions. It is also essential to maintain safety as the bottom line while addressing民生需求 (people’s livelihood needs). This includes optimizing airspace management, simplifying flight approval procedures to ensure smooth low-altitude flights, and strengthening infrastructure and technological development—especially focusing on core technology breakthroughs and innovative financial models to attract social capital. Enterprises should abandon the mindset of “emphasizing scale over effectiveness,” focus on niche scenarios, and develop services that truly meet logistics, urban management, cultural tourism, and other民生需求 (people’s livelihood needs).

From conceptual exploration to standard formulation, from pilot projects to large-scale 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’s the convenience and efficiency of cross-city freight or the fresh experience of manned sightseeing, the ultimate goal is to make these services accessible and beneficial for the public, providing real convenience.

(Edited by: Wang Zhiqiang HF013)

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