Chongqing - On December 25, the successful maiden flight of the “Chongqing to Guang’an” red tourism low-altitude route marked the launch of the first red tourism low-altitude route in the Sichuan-Chongqing region, highlighting Chongqing’s strides in the burgeoning low-altitude economy sector.

This milestone is just one of many achieved this year as the city accelerates its efforts to establish itself as a hub for low-altitude economic innovation, spanning research, manufacturing, and services.

A helicopter departs from Guang’an, Sichuan, and lands at Chongqing’s Shapingba District on December 25, marking the launch of the first red tourism low-altitude route in the Sichuan-Chongqing region. (Photo/Luo Bin, Visual Chongqing)

Expanding low-altitude routes

According to the relevant department, by November 2024, Chongqing had secured 28 key low-altitude projects, with a total investment of 29.4 billion yuan (about 4 billion U.S. dollars), and recorded a 60% increase in low-altitude flight hours.

The city has actively expanded low-altitude routes within Chongqing and across neighboring provinces, transforming low-altitude flights from niche experiences into mainstream services.

For example, Chongqing signed the first cross-province low-altitude cooperation memorandum with Sichuan, launching the region’s first low-altitude flight route between Chongqing Liangjiang and Sichuan Jintang. Other new routes include the Chongqing Longxing-Sichuan Luodai and Chongqing Dazu-Hunan Biancheng routes.

Within the city, Chongqing introduced its first urban low-altitude transportation trial and helicopter sightseeing tours over the Yangtze River. These developments have been complemented by significant infrastructure investments exceeding 420 million yuan, including the addition of 53 new takeoff and landing points.

Attracting investments and innovations

In December, Changan Automobile partnered with EHang, an autonomous aerial vehicle technology leader, to jointly develop flying cars. This collaboration underscores the city’s emphasis on integrating traditional industries with emerging low-altitude technologies.

A flying car by Changan Automobile. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Other local companies, such as Seres and Zongshen, have begun developing eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft and their key components. Meanwhile, initiatives like Jiudie General Aviation’s 400-million-yuan project in Wansheng aim to build airports, flight schools, and related facilities, projecting annual revenue of 200 million yuan upon completion.

Chongqing’s strong industrial foundation has attracted significant investment. In November, at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, Aerospace Era Low-Altitude Technology Co., Ltd. announced plans to invest over 5 billion yuan in Chongqing to establish an innovation ecosystem encompassing digital air traffic management, aircraft manufacturing, and AI-powered low-altitude solutions.

Other enterprises, such as the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics, are also setting up operations in Chongqing. Their projects range from UAV production to the construction of general aviation airports.

Diverse applications and new consumption models

Chongqing has developed over ten low-altitude application scenarios, including drone delivery of agricultural products, medical supplies, urban logistics, and aviation rescue and tourism services. New ventures like low-altitude advertising and waterplane tours are further diversifying the sector.

A tourist experiences skydiving under the guidance of an instructor, soaring through the blue sky on September 19 at Chongqing Liangping Airport. (Photo/Zheng Yu)

The city has also pioneered a seasonal consumption model—promoting low-altitude economic activities through consumption, competitions, and exhibitions in different seasons. This approach has driven over 2 billion yuan in consumption of related competitions, with low-altitude competitions alone attracting nearly 20,000 participants and generating over 30 million yuan in tax revenue.

With a rapidly expanding ecosystem of projects and investments, Chongqing is poised to strengthen its position as a leader in the low-altitude economy. Plans for 2025 include opening new low-altitude routes to Zhangjiajie in Hunan, Shennongjia in Hubei, and Hanzhong in Shaanxi and developing more innovative low-altitude technology applications.

(Yang Yongqin, a reporter from Chongqing Daily, contributed the Chinese version of this report.)