• Funds Blog
• January 14, 2025

Bolstering Low-Altitude Infrastructure

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In recent years, the low-altitude economic sector has emerged as a critical area of growth in aviation, driven by governmental initiatives and advancements in technologyThis burgeoning segment encompasses a wide range of low-altitude flying activities, utilizing aircraft as primary vehicles for both passenger and cargo transportIn 2023, the scale of China's low-altitude economy reached a staggering 505.95 billion yuan, demonstrating an impressive growth rate of 33.8%. Projections indicate that by 2026, this figure could exceed one trillion yuanThis rapid evolution signifies the low-altitude economy's potential to revolutionize various industries and societal functions.

The low-altitude economy stands as a strategic emerging industry distinguished by its high technological content and innovation-driven elementsIts extensive industrial chain, complex application scenarios, and diverse user bases contribute to its unique qualities as a new productive force in the economy

However, developing a robust low-altitude economy necessitates a strong foundation of infrastructureThis includes the modernization of digital and networked systems for various types of operations, ensuring the establishment of thorough communication, navigation, meteorological, and monitoring support networks, as well as interconnected low-altitude flight service networks that facilitate widespread data sharing.

Research and manufacturing are pivotal to the advancement of the low-altitude economyThis sector relies not only on the development and manufacturing of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles but also on the integration of emerging technologies such as big data and artificial intelligenceThe low-altitude industrial chain extends from the supply of core components to mid-stream manufacturing and support services, culminating in a diverse array of application scenarios—each necessitating digitalization and intelligent technology for effective operation

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Furthermore, the application realms are vital to the ecosystem, encompassing not just air transportation but also sectors like cultural tourism, logistics, emergency rescue, and agricultural productionExpanding these application scenarios can cultivate grassroots involvement in the low-altitude economy, enabling it to touch lives across various sectors.

However, the surge of the low-altitude economy brings with it notable challenges to traditional civil aviation management frameworksHistorically, civil aviation oversight has primarily involved specialized regulatory bodies manipulating air traffic and commercial aviation servicesThe inclusivity of the low-altitude economy introduces complexities, necessitating collaborative regulatory strategies that engage multiple government sectors—such as industrial information management and market supervisionAs a result, optimizing these agencies' regulatory roles becomes essential

Moreover, the diversity of stakeholders in the low-altitude economy widens the range of entities requiring oversight, spanning industries such as smart manufacturing and high-tech services, thereby extending the management framework significantly beyond traditional boundaries.

The management content itself evolves as well; whereas conventional civil aviation regulatory concerns focused chiefly on safe air transportation, the multifaceted nature of the low-altitude economy requires a broader perspective, encompassing aviation safety, public safety, and national securityConsequently, aviation authorities alongside related government agencies have introduced a plethora of supportive policies and innovative reform measures concerning airport infrastructure, operational permissions, and service provisions to bolster the low-altitude economy’s developmentThese measures have established a solid foundation across hardware, technology, and institutional frameworks.

The multifaceted approach includes ongoing reforms to civil aviation management systems

One key initiative involves accelerating the implementation of classified airspace management, which is vital in providing a safe, orderly, and efficient environment for low-altitude flying activitiesThis effort is coupled with optimizing the functional capacities of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) management platformsCollaborative alliances are encouraged to enhance supportive service frameworks for low-altitude operations.

Equally critical is addressing the evolving infrastructure requirements stemming from low-altitude economic expansionEnhancements in standards for the construction and operation of general aviation airports are necessary along with the promotion of temporary take-off and landing points to accommodate an evolving traffic networkDeveloping risk-based classification and approval methods will also be essential in improving evaluation capabilities and streamlining standards for aircraft airworthiness while constructing a robust certification system for drones.

A further recommendation is to foster greater coordination in low-altitude regulatory responsibilities and resource allocation across broader geographical spectra

Establishing centralized governmental bodies to facilitate dialogue between various regulatory agencies will help streamline oversight and enforce safety regulations more effectivelyThis should include comprehensive guidelines for the safe integration of different aviation operations—including commercial, general, and unmanned aircraft—enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of safety inspections and regulations.

Finally, the creation of a comprehensive standard-setting framework for the low-altitude economy is crucialThe integration of technologies such as big data and AI into low-altitude operations should involve establishing a unified set of technical standards and service protocolsExpedited development of operational procedures, emergency response standards, and certification processes for pilots is essential, as is fortifying traffic management systemsCreating collaborative standards that bridge aviation with telecommunications, information technology, and geographic information systems will facilitate deeper integration across industries, heralding a new era for the low-altitude economy.