In response to Shenzhen's two-year development plan for constructing low-altitude aircraft takeoff and landing platforms, released at the Shenzhen Low-altitude Economy High-quality Development Conference on Aug. 2, Longhua District is positioning itself to lead as a demonstration area for the city's low-altitude economy. 

As per the plan, the city aims to build over 1,000 low-altitude aircraft takeoff and landing platforms and launch more than 1,000 commercial flight routes by the end of 2025. The initiative will designate 75% of Shenzhen's airspace below 120 meters for low-altitude flights, construct 123 takeoff and landing points for the logistics industry, and establish 177 points for drone delivery of medical supplies, packages, and takeout services. Additionally, the plan includes retrofitting the city's 109 existing helipads to be compatible with eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft.

In another development, Longhua District released an annual action plan this March to establish a low-altitude economy demonstration area. The plan outlines 18 key tasks focusing on the development of low-altitude economy infrastructure, application scenarios, the industrial ecosystem, and related services. Among these, the construction of low-altitude takeoff and landing infrastructure has been designated as a priority task for the district's development efforts.

As of June, Shenzhen has established 249 low-altitude takeoff and landing points and launched 207 drone routes. Of these, 54 points are located in Longhua District, including five eVTOL takeoff and landing points, 12 logistics delivery points, 13 just-in-time delivery points, and 24 points for urban governance aircraft. The Longteng Takeoff and Landing Point in Minzhi, Longhua District, which can accommodate multiple aircraft, is set to become operational soon.

A scene at the low-altitude economy industrial park in Longhua District. File photo

The district plans to establish over 40 new takeoff, landing and delivery facilities for low-altitude aircraft, launch more than 35 drone routes for logistics, first aid, public transportation, sightseeing, and educational purposes, and handle over 300,000 commercial drone flights by 2024, according to a spokesperson from the district’s Industry and Information Technology Bureau.

At the conference, a representative from the Shenzhen Municipal Transportation Bureau stated that the top priorities for the development of the local low-altitude industry focus on logistics delivery, manned transport, first aid, urban governance, and cultural tourism.

As of March this year, Meituan has operated 10 drone routes in Longhua, serving various scenarios including office buildings, hospitals, parks, and cultural venues. SF Express' Phoenix Wings has built 12 drone takeoff and landing platforms and 10 routes in the district. Additionally, the UAV light show presented by Damoda Technologies has become a regular attraction, delighting residents in the Shenzhen North Railway Station area.

Longhua has also collaborated with Shenzhen Metro Group and Shenzhen Eastern General Aviation Co. to launch China’s first air-rail intermodal project at Shenzhen North Railway Station, allowing passengers to reach over 90% of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area from Longhua within an hour. Furthermore, the district has partnered with Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics to establish an innovation center for the low-altitude intelligent industry.

Longhua District joins hands with Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics to establish an innovation center for the low-altitude intelligent industry. File photo

EHang, a Shenzhen-based urban air mobility (UAM) technology company, is planning to expand its network of passenger drone routes in Longhua District. As part of this initiative, the company aims to introduce more low-altitude, aerial routes that will offer sightseeing services and efficient transportation. The expansion also includes the development of themed attractions at popular scenic spots such as Mission Hills Resorts and Yangtai Mountain.

According to the development plan announced at the August 2 conference, Shenzhen will establish 10 low-altitude economy industrial parks and 2 UAV industry parks across the city. Longhua District has so far been home to 366 low-altitude enterprises, including Meituan Drones, Damoda and Harwar, which accounting for 14.25% of the total amount of low-altitude enterprises in Shenzhen. The district also boasted the city’s first wind tunnel laboratory with specialization on drone flights under extreme climates.

Lianjiaxiang Industrial Park, the first low-altitude industrial park in Longhua District, has quickly become a hub for innovation since its launch in late 2023. Already home to nearly 40 companies and institutions, including members of the Shenzhen Aviation Industry Association’s Low-Altitude Ecology Committee, the park is driving significant growth in the region. With its current output value surpassing 100 million yuan, the park’s output is expected to reach 1 billion yuan in the next three years, solidifying its role as a key player in the low-altitude economy.

According to the district’s Industry and Information Technology Bureau, Longhua has taken the lead in Shenzhen by approving the registration of the city’s first batch of low-altitude enterprises and industry associations in 2024. To further promote the high-quality development of the low-altitude economy, the district will provide a 200-million-yuan subsidy over the next three years, positioning Longhua as a key driver in this emerging sector.