The low-altitude economy has emerged as a notable new force in the production landscape over the past yearSpanning across areas such as low-altitude travel, aerial tourism, logistics, emergency rescue, and agricultural airborne applications, low-altitude flight technologies have become increasingly commonplaceHowever, amidst the rapid expansion of this sector, significant challenges have arisen regarding how to ensure its healthy developmentThis pressing issue requires a thorough examination and discussion.
As of the end of 2024, the establishment of the Low Altitude Economy Development Division under the National Development and Reform Commission marks a critical moment for the industryThe creation of a specialized agency to oversee this burgeoning sector is quite rare and hints at two important messages: first, it acknowledges the substantive achievements that have been made in the low-altitude economy thus far, and expresses optimistic expectations for its future; second, it indicates that as the interest in the low-altitude economy grows, inherent problems are becoming more apparent, highlighting the necessity for regulation and organized advancement.
The term "low-altitude economy" has become a buzzword in 2023, regularly appearing in governmental work meetings and policy documents across the country
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Statistics show that nearly 30 provinces and municipalities in China have introduced measures to support the high-quality development of the low-altitude economyYet, obstacles such as incomplete regulations and limited airspace resources present significant barriers to the local proliferation of this industry.
Amidst an era characterized by shifting global economic landscapes and continuous technological breakthroughs, the low-altitude economy is gradually taking center stageNonetheless, a critical question looms: how can the low-altitude airspace be effectively and orderly developed? This challenge stands before numerous practitioners and researchers aiming to forge a cohesive set of technical systems encompassing aircraft development, flight scheduling, management, and safety monitoring, alongside operational protocols for diverse low-altitude activities
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The absence of mature precedents in this field has produced a daunting but necessary challenge.
In the realm of low-altitude economy, high-quality development is undoubtedly dependent on diverse and specific application scenariosA consensus has emerged within the industry that the main challenge currently faced is the lack of mature and frequent applicationsAt this stage, the applications of the low-altitude economy are largely confined to limited sectors such as tourism, logistics, and inspection, and these applications are in the exploratory stages, far from reaching stability or maturity.
At present, the application scenarios of low-altitude economies in China are relatively constrained, hindering market demand from being fully realized
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In the tourism sector, while low-altitude tourism projects possess market appeal, they are largely restricted to a handful of popular destinationsFurthermore, factors like weather and airspace regulations significantly influence their viability, preventing the establishment of regular, large-scale operationsTake, for instance, helicopter sightseeing projects at some hot tourist spots: during peak seasons, tickets become scarce, while in off-peak times, a steep decline in visitor numbers leads to inflated operational costs that drastically compress the profit margins for operators.
Logistics presents another area of low-altitude potential, with drone delivery services trialed in remote areasHowever, challenges such as limited flight range, restricted payload capacity, and shortcomings in safety measures have hampered their widespread adoption in densely populated urban areas, making it difficult to meet substantial logistics demands
Regarding inspection domains, low-altitude aircraft have had utility in surveying infrastructure like power and oil pipelines, but the limitations of current technologies leave considerable room for improvement, especially under adverse weather conditions or in complex terrains.
Furthermore, the business models surrounding low-altitude economics remain underdeveloped, prompting companies to continuously innovateFor instance, in the drone logistics sector, the focal issue lies in delivering efficient, safe, and cost-effective servicesCompanies need to address energy supply solutions during their drones' flight operations to boost their endurance and reduce operational costs, while also ensuring safe flight in complex environments to avoid mishaps that could result in damaged or lost cargo
In the aerial travel sector, developing a rational pricing strategy and operational model also presents a formidable challengeGiven the high costs associated with purchasing aircraft, maintenance, and training specialized personnel, crafting a price structure that is both consumer-friendly and ensures profitability remains a significant conundrum.
As a nascent economic model, while the low-altitude economy holds tremendous promise, its development is not instantaneousThe journey towards a thriving low-altitude industry necessitates a multifaceted approach that includes improving legislative standards, optimizing airspace management, and enhancing technological innovation and safety protocolsIn terms of legal frameworks, the swift establishment of comprehensive, detailed, and practically applicable regulations is essential
Such measures should clarify entry requirements, operational standards, and safety responsibilities intertwined with low-altitude flights to lend a solid legal foundation for orderly development.
In the sphere of airspace management, it is crucial to institute sound methods of spatial allocation and dynamic oversight to optimize resource use and minimize conflicts among various flying activitiesInvestment in key technologies such as aircraft development, communication, navigation, and intelligent control is vital for promoting innovation and advancing safety and operational efficiency within the low-altitude contextOn safety grounds, the establishment of a comprehensive safety monitoring and emergency response mechanism is imperative for prompt action during unforeseen incidents, thereby mitigating potential losses to the greatest extent possible.
