Photos by Xu Shuntian
In a groundbreaking move to bolster its low-altitude economy and cement its position as a global leader in the field, Shenzhen has announced plans to build more than 1,000 low-altitude aircraft takeoff and landing platforms and launch over 1,000 commercial flight routes by the end of 2025.
The initiative will see 75% of the city's airspace below 120 meters approved for low-altitude flights, according to plans unveiled by the city's public transport bureau at the Shenzhen Low-altitude Economy High-quality Development Conference on Friday.
The conference attracted more than 500 experts, as well as representatives from firms and the government, Shenzhen Economic Daily reported Saturday.
Shenzhen's low-altitude economy reached a staggering 96 billion yuan (US$13.4 billion) in scale by 2023, which included 341 firms above designated size (at least 20 million yuan in annual revenue from main business operations) and 1,730 firms in the industrial chain.
In the first half of this year, Shenzhen's low-altitude economy and aerospace industry cluster reported a remarkable growth rate of 32.4%. The low-altitude economy sector has thrived in various fields, including logistics, sightseeing, medical rescue, urban transportation, emergency rescue, and industrial inspection, statistics show.
Meanwhile, Shenzhen led the nation in low-altitude cargo drone flight volume, newly increased cargo routes, manned flight volume, and the number of people transported in the first half of this year. Notably, low-altitude cargo drones flew 255,000 times, marking a 38% year-on-year increase, while 51 new drone cargo routes were added. Helicopters carried passengers 12,000 times, up 20%, and transported 68,000 people.
The low-altitude economy, hailed as a representative of new quality productive forces and a thriving new industry trend, is creating enormous opportunities for global competition.
Shenzhen, having emerged as a globally renowned unmanned aerial vehicle hub, has formed a competitive advantage in low-altitude economy with a comprehensive industrial chain system.
It has nurtured well-known drone companies like DJI, Autel, and Alltech. Industry leaders such as AutoFlight, German company Lilium, and Zhuoyi have also expanded their operations in Shenzhen.
Statistics show that the city's low-altitude products enjoy worldwide recognition for their quality, with consumer drones accounting for 70% of the global market and industrial drones accounting for 50% of the global market.