The term “low-altitude” in the context of the low-altitude economy typically refers to airspace at a vertical height below 1.000 meters, which can be extended up to 3.000 meters based on actual needs. This definition applies to most situations and has been widely recognized and implemented. However, there is some evidence suggesting that in different regions or under specific circumstances, the height range of low-altitude airspace may vary, with some cases extending up to 4.000 meters. Overall, the standard of below 1.000 meters and extendable to 3.000 meters is currently the most widely accepted.
1. What is the Definition of Low-Altitude Economy?
The definition of the low-altitude economy can be explained from multiple perspectives, but it can generally be summarized as follows:
- Spatial Scope: The low-altitude economy mainly refers to various economic activities conducted in low-altitude airspace below a vertical height of 1.000 meters, which can be extended to no more than 3.000 meters based on actual needs.
- Main Entities and Activities: This economic form primarily involves civil manned and unmanned aircraft, covering a variety of low-altitude flight activities such as passenger transport, cargo transport, and other operational scenarios.
- Characteristics of New Productive Forces: The low-altitude economy exhibits distinct characteristics of new productive forces, representing the application of emerging technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology and low-altitude intelligent connectivity technology, which interact with related elements such as low-altitude airspace and markets, thereby promoting development in infrastructure construction, aircraft manufacturing, operational services, and flight support.
- Comprehensive Economic Form: The low-altitude economy is a comprehensive economic form that involves multiple fields such as politics, military, and law enforcement, and it is a concept generated by the demand for market-driven national economic development.
- Industrial Integration: The low-altitude economy not only involves the development of the aviation industry but also integrates with various sectors such as logistics, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, electricity, public security, healthcare, and sports, forming diverse application scenarios labeled as “low-altitude economy +”.
2. What Are the Differences in Low-Altitude Height Ranges in Different Regions or Specific Situations?
The differences in low-altitude height ranges in different regions or specific situations are primarily reflected in the following aspects:
- Basic Definition: Generally, low-altitude airspace refers to flight areas below a true height (above ground level) of 1.000 meters. Super low-altitude airspace typically refers to airspace below a true height of 120 meters, mainly used for visual flight height restrictions.
- Specific Classification Standards: Civil aviation flight altitudes are generally above 6.000 meters, while low-altitude airspace refers to flight areas below 1.000 meters. In certain situations, such as agricultural forestry operations, tourism, and search and rescue tasks, the range for super low-altitude flights is below 100 meters above the ground.
- Local Adjustments: According to national regulations, the vertical range for various low-altitude airspaces is generally below a true height of 1.000 meters, but specific low-altitude airspace height ranges can be defined based on regional characteristics and actual needs. For example, in the absence of military exclusion zones or large airports nearby, the relevant height restriction should be 1.000 meters above the highest point within a 40-kilometer radius of air routes.
- Historical Documents and Policies: The “Opinions on Deepening the Reform of Low-Altitude Airspace Management in China” issued by the State Council and the Central Military Commission in 2010 proposed a vertical range principle for low-altitude airspace of 1.000 meters and below. The “Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Development of General Aviation Industry” issued by the State Council in 2016 also mentioned timely summarization and promotion of low-altitude airspace reform pilot projects.
- Differences in Practical Applications: In practical applications, different regions may adjust based on local conditions and needs. For instance, some regions may set a wider or narrower height range for low-altitude airspace due to factors such as terrain and climate.
3. Why Does the Definition of Low-Altitude Economy Extend to 4.000 Meters in Certain Cases?
In certain cases, the definition of low-altitude economy extends to 4.000 meters, primarily based on regional characteristics and actual needs. Low-altitude generally refers to airspace at a vertical distance below 1.000 meters from the ground level, but under specific conditions, this range can be expanded to 3.000 meters or 4.000 meters.
This extension is due to differences in geography, environment, and social needs across different regions. For example, in densely populated, traffic-congested cities or areas requiring large-scale aviation activities, extending the definition of low-altitude economy to 4.000 meters helps better utilize airspace resources, promote the development of the general aviation industry, and meet more flight service demands.
Additionally, with advancements in technology and supportive policies, the application of technologies such as UAVs and general aviation is gradually becoming an important component of the low-altitude economy. These technologies can achieve efficient flight services in broader airspace, thus driving the development of related industries.
4. Research on the Impact of Low-Altitude Economy on Aviation Safety and the Environment
Research on the impact of the low-altitude economy on aviation safety and the environment primarily focuses on the following aspects:
Aviation Safety:
- Design and Manufacturing: The core of the low-altitude economy lies in the safety of aircraft, which includes design considerations such as structural integrity, redundancy systems, and fail-safe features aimed at minimizing accident risks.
- Training and Protocols: To ensure the effective operation of low-altitude aircraft, appropriate personnel training and strict adherence to safety protocols are essential. This helps improve overall flight safety.
- Infrastructure Development: The development of the low-altitude economy requires the establishment of corresponding infrastructure, such as navigation facilities, communication equipment, and emergency rescue systems, to ensure the safety and reliability of low-altitude flights.
Environmental Impact:
- Environmental Protection Strategies: With the rapid development of the low-altitude economy, ensuring its environmental friendliness while promoting its growth has become an important issue. Various sustainable development strategies have been proposed to minimize negative environmental impacts.
- Application of UAV Technology: UAVs have significant potential for applications in logistics, transportation, and urban traffic management, but their potential impacts on air quality and noise pollution also need to be addressed. Therefore, corresponding environmental protection measures and standards must be established to control these impacts.
- Comprehensive Analysis: The “Research Report on the Development of China’s Low-Altitude Economy (2024)” provides a detailed overview of the technological development and future trends of the low-altitude economy, helping clients maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing market. The report also draws on global experiences and combines them with China’s market demands to provide scientific guidance and references for the development of the low-altitude economy.
While the low-altitude economy brings economic benefits, attention must also be paid to its impact on aviation safety and the environment.
5. What Are the Development Trends and Future Prospects of the Low-Altitude Economy?
The development trends and future prospects of the low-altitude economy can be analyzed from several aspects, including market size, technological innovation, policy support, and the expansion of application areas.
From the perspective of market size, the market prospects for the low-altitude economy are very promising. According to the “2024 Panorama of China’s Low-Altitude Economy Industry,” it is predicted that by 2028. the market size of China’s low-altitude economy industry will reach 3.7 trillion yuan. Additionally, another report indicates that by 2035. the expected market size of China’s low-altitude economy will exceed 6 trillion yuan. These figures indicate that the low-altitude economy will continue to grow rapidly in the coming years.
Technological innovation is a key factor driving the development of the low-altitude economy. The integration and application of technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing will further expand the application scenarios of the low-altitude economy. At the same time, the performance and safety of low-altitude aircraft will also be significantly enhanced, providing a solid technological foundation for the development of the low-altitude economy.
The improvement of policy systems is also an important guarantee for the development of the low-altitude economy. In recent years, national and local governments have introduced a series of policies and plans to support the development of the low-altitude economy. For example, the “National Three-Dimensional Transportation Network Planning Outline” clearly defines the development direction of the low-altitude economy and anticipates that by 2035. the market size of China’s low-altitude economy is expected to reach 3.5 trillion yuan. The implementation of these policies will provide strong support for the healthy development of the low-altitude economy.
The application areas of the low-altitude economy will further expand. In addition to traditional air transportation, the low-altitude economy will also play an important role in smart cities and smart civil aviation. For instance, the market for civil UAVs has been continuously expanding in recent years, demonstrating strong growth momentum. Furthermore, various segments of the industry chain, including low-altitude infrastructure, aircraft manufacturing, operational services, and flight support, will also be further improved.
The development trends of the low-altitude economy are primarily reflected in the continuous expansion of market size, ongoing technological innovation, continuous improvement of policy systems, and the ongoing expansion of application areas.