Chongqing - A fleet of 103 drones recently showcased advanced capabilities at Da'an General Airport in Yongchuan District, Chongqing, seamlessly maneuvering across four designated airspace zones. Simultaneously conducting tasks like line inspections, logistics delivery, and urban sensing, the demonstration marked China's first successful trial of real-time dynamic airspace management and core low-altitude safety technologies.
This groundbreaking test symbolizes Chongqing's pivotal step towards becoming a national leader in low-altitude economic development, as outlined in the city's strategic action plan. The city aims to establish an extensive "low-altitude skyway" network by strengthening infrastructure, cultivating a complete industrial ecosystem, and driving innovation.
A manned aircraft takes off from Chongqing Liangjiang Longxing General Airport. (Photo/Long Fan)
Strong foundations for the future
"Robust infrastructure is the gateway to unlocking the vast potential of low-altitude mobility," noted a representative of Aerospace Era Low-Altitude Technology Co., Ltd. The Da'an test site, serving as China's first comprehensive low-altitude safety test facility, exemplifies Chongqing’s commitment to infrastructure development. The facility will support future advancements in safety management and efficient airspace utilization.
Yongchuan has swiftly advanced infrastructure developments, including the establishment of the exclusive authorized DJI Agriculture platform provider in Chongqing, which has rapidly developed 16 retail centers, six maintenance centers, and a drone pilot training facility, capturing over 90% market share in agricultural drones locally. Additionally, China Mobile has inaugurated Chongqing's first 5G advanced base station specifically for low-altitude operations at Yongchuan.
Dazu District complements this growth by constructing a dedicated 2,000-mu (about 133 hectares) low-altitude industrial park. This park features two significant runways and extensive supporting facilities, bolstering equipment testing, inspection, and application.
Forging a closed-loop ecosystem
Recognizing the low-altitude economy as a strategic emerging sector projected to reach trillion-yuan levels, Chongqing is rapidly integrating its industrial chain. In Dazu, one aviation components R&D manufacturing project recently broke ground on a facility expected to produce 200,000 aviation engine components and 300 drone bodies annually. Chongqing Guofei General Aviation Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has similarly expanded, securing approximately 30% of the domestic firefighting drone market.
Banan District aims to become a drone and aviation engine manufacturing hub, already hosting 17 industry-leading enterprises such as Zongshen Aero Engine. Liangjiang New Area, meanwhile, has built a mature low-altitude economic cluster comprising 22 companies spanning research, manufacturing, operations, and finance, creating an integrated industrial and innovation ecosystem.
Innovation drives diversified growth
Innovation remains crucial to Chongqing’s low-altitude ambitions. The Chongqing Research Institute of Harbin Institute of Technology recently unveiled a hydrogen-powered electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, offering over six hours of flight time and a 1,000-kilometer range.
Chongqing University also achieved notable breakthroughs, successfully developing the "Zhuoyue" drone series capable of seamless rotary-to-fixed-wing transitions, significantly enhancing drone performance.
Liangjiang New Area continues to pioneer innovation through the establishment of drone test zones, precise airspace management systems, and integrated flight pilots, reinforcing Chongqing's dynamic approach to low-altitude economic development.
Districts across Chongqing—including Liangping, Wulong, Banan, and Yongchuan—are collaboratively innovating through specialized institutes, laboratories, and commercial applications like regular drone postal routes, underscoring the city's comprehensive commitment to becoming China's premier hub for low-altitude innovation.
(Yang Yongqin, a reporter from Chongqing Daily, contributed to this report's Chinese version, and as an intern, Gou Long contributed to this English report.)