China’s low-altitude economy is expanding with drones and eVTOL

Credit: Meituan

China’s low-aviation economy is expanding with drones and eVTOL increasingly being utilised in the nation’s economy. Currently, more than 225,000 people have acquired the license for unmanned aircraft and qualified as drone operators. By definition, the low-altitude economy refers to an economic model that features industrial integration driven by low-altitude aviation. Traditional-style general aviation and the newly derived unmanned aircraft industry are both examples of low-altitude economy. In, 2021 the low-altitude economy was incorporated into China’s national plan.

How is low-aviation being used in China?

Tourists along the Beijing Badaling Great Wall can now enjoy this near-magic experience thanks to the first normalised drone delivery route that was recently opened. The landing spot for this route is set at the South Nine Towers area of Badaling. Before the advent of this new service, not a single stall or vending machine was set up there in order to keep the original state of the place, and visitors had to walk for almost half an hour to buy food or drinks. Now, with delivery drones in operation, consumers can enjoy such provisions much easier and faster.

Yan Yan, Public Affairs Director, of drone company Meituan, explained medical opportunities from drones: “Through drone delivery, we may cover a route that takes 50 minutes on foot in five minutes, and deliver heat relief items and emergency supplies to visitors.”

What economic activity has low-aviation brought?

Low-altitude economy has received strong support in China, and the construction of the infrastructure and service guarantee systems for the low-altitude economy has accelerated, which in turn fuelled investment, and gave birth to new business models like low-altitude logistics, low-altitude agriculture, and low-altitude tourism. According to estimates, the volume of China’s low-altitude economy exceeded 500bn RMB in 2023, and the number is expected to grow to more than two trillion RMB in 2030.

In the past years, many emerging industries have evolved into new growth drivers in China’s economy. Looking into it, a vital impetus lies in the in-depth integration between technological and industrial innovation that relies on the rather complete industrial system and the huge market China boasts. The process is well exemplified by the development of the low-altitude economy, which is also a reflection of how China develops new quality productive forces and drives the high-quality development of its economy.