Chongqing - Ahead of the 2025 Chongqing Two Sessions, Huang Wei, a member of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and chairman of Chongqing Airport Group Co., Ltd., proposed creating a unique low-altitude intelligent connected ecosystem for the city and developing demonstration application scenarios.

Huang Wei, a member of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and chairman of Chongqing Airport Group Co., Ltd. (Photo/Chongqing Airport Group Co., Ltd.)

In January 2024, Huang proposed developing a low-altitude economy in Chongqing, highlighting challenges such as lacking infrastructure, an undeveloped business model, and fragmented industry growth. This year, he calls for creating a unique low-altitude intelligent ecosystem and establishing demonstration application scenarios.

The 2024 Government Work Report highlighted the low-altitude economy. Chongqing has actively positioned itself in this sector, and the city's CPPCC members have also contributed proposals to drive its growth.

The first low-altitude tourism flight between Chongqing and Guang'an took off in late 2024, marking a milestone. On January 3, 2025, the Liangping District low-altitude flight camp opened, offering activities like powered paragliding and hot-air balloon rides. These moves highlight Chongqing's efforts to tap into the booming low-altitude economy and trillion-dollar market.

Last year, Chongqing hosted over 1,000 low-altitude events, generating over 2 billion yuan (USD 270 million) in consumption. The city also developed more than 10 low-altitude application scenarios, including drone delivery of medical supplies, aviation training, rescue operations, urban logistics, and short-distance county transport.

Passengers fly from Liangping District, Chongqing, to Dazhou City, Sichuan Province. (Photo/Li Maojia)

"Seeing the proposals come to fruition is truly uplifting," Huang said. His proposal aligns with Chongqing's low-altitude economic plan, announced in September 2024. By 2025, the city aims to complete a BeiDou-supported infrastructure system with over 200 new aviation hubs and fully operational low-altitude flight stations at all levels.

Last year, Changan Automobile partnered with EHang. The successful test flight of Changan's aerial vehicle marked its entry into cross-industry integration and the launch of its flying car. EHang, based in Guangzhou, is a global autonomous aerial vehicle technology leader.

A flying car by Changan Automobile. (Photo/Changan Automobile)

Huang's proposal reflects a vision of "sci-fi becoming reality." After extensive research, he highlighted the synergy between low-altitude economy technologies, aerospace, and intelligent vehicles, pointing to Chongqing's strong foundation in these fields. He called for government collaboration to integrate these sectors and create a unique low-altitude intelligent ecosystem for the city.

The action plan also aligns, calling for creating a low-altitude innovation and manufacturing system, boosting industry development, and fostering a thriving ecosystem. It encourages universities, research institutions, and key enterprises to build high-level R&D platforms, develop general aviation manufacturing, and support cross-industry production, including eVTOL aircraft and flight control systems.

Chongqing's varied topography and mountains and rivers create a unique landscape that drives a clear demand for low-altitude applications.

During his research, Huang also identified a lack of consumer demand in areas like air commuting, business travel, and flight training. He called for expansive low-altitude consumption models in his proposal, including applications in public services like police patrols, urban firefighting, emergency rescue, and medical services.

He emphasized his continued commitment to tackling the challenges facing the low-altitude economy. He leveraged his position as a CPPCC member to connect with the public and foster consensus, working together to drive high-quality growth in Chongqing's low-altitude economy.