SHINDEV Insights | China’s Low-Altitude Economy Accelerates: Toward a Trillion-RMB Opportunity as eVTOL Enters Mass Production and Pilot Operations
(For Immediate Release)
Executive Summary SHINDEV’s research indicates that China’s low-altitude economy is moving from policy-driven momentum to tangible industrial deployment. Anchored in low-altitude airspace and enabled by new-generation aircraft ecosystems, the sector is driving cross-industry integration across manufacturing, operations, air traffic management, communications, and multi-scenario applications. eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft), a key platform within the low-altitude economy, is approaching a pivotal inflection point—from concept validation to commercialization pilots and scalable production. With certification progress, supply-chain maturation, and pilot operations expanding, 2024 is widely viewed as a meaningful milestone year for commercial eVTOL deployment.
SHINDEV observes that the “low-altitude economy” has been repeatedly highlighted in national-level policies and major government agendas. China’s 2024 Government Work Report explicitly calls for actively cultivating new growth engines such as the low-altitude economy, reinforcing its strategic positioning as an emerging and future-oriented industry.
Supported by low-altitude airspace, the low-altitude economy extends downstream into a broad range of sectors—agriculture, forestry, fisheries, construction, scientific research, education and sports, transportation, emergency response, and more—characterized by a long value chain, extensive service coverage, and strong spillover effects. Industry projections estimate China’s low-altitude economy at RMB 463.3 billion in 2023, rising to RMB 503.0 billion in 2024, with continued expansion ahead.
For the sector to scale, SHINDEV emphasizes the need for “airspace availability, reliable connectivity, controllable supervision, and sustainable operations.” Key foundations include:
Low-altitude communications networks, enabling real-time telemetry, remote operations, and regulator-platform coordination;
Low-altitude air traffic management and detect-and-avoid systems, as airspace opens and flight density increases—unlocking demand from flight service assurance systems to onboard terminal equipment.
Within the broader aircraft spectrum, drones continue to serve as a core pillar, supported by established demand in agriculture, surveying, and emergency response, while expanding into urban logistics and new commercial scenarios.
Meanwhile, eVTOL is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone solution for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and short-to-medium range metropolitan travel. With vertical takeoff, lower noise, lower emissions, and the potential for highly automated operations, eVTOL shows strong applicability across:
Urban / intercity commuting
Low-altitude logistics and time-sensitive delivery
Medical transport and emergency rescue
Scenic tourism and aerial sightseeing
SHINDEV notes that three-dimensional low-altitude mobility can meaningfully complement ground transportation within certain distance ranges, offering advantages in congestion avoidance, obstacle crossing, time savings, and reduced emissions and noise—while improving economics over time as technology matures.
Mainstream eVTOL configurations include multicopter, lift-plus-cruise composite wing, and vectored-thrust tilt-rotor:
Multicopter designs are better suited for shorter-range missions and early pilots;
Composite wing and tilt-rotor solutions offer stronger long-range, speed, and payload potential.
SHINDEV believes that as battery energy density, reliability, and fast-charging performance improve, composite wing and tilt-rotor architectures will become increasingly favorable for commercialization at scale.
SHINDEV highlights three critical pillars for eVTOL commercialization:
Airworthiness certification, the definitive gatekeeper for commercial readiness;
Battery and powertrain capability, which determines range, safety, and operating cost;
End-to-end aircraft R&D and vertically integrated supply chains, enabling scalable manufacturing and rapid iteration.
In parallel, autonomy and intelligent flight functions are emerging as the next competitive dimension, shaping operational efficiency and scalability.
Recent industry developments suggest accelerating progress toward “mass production + pilot operations”:
Media reports indicate China’s CAAC granted a Production Certificate (PC) for EHang’s EH216-S, widely seen as a milestone toward mass production for passenger eVTOL systems;
AutoFlight delivered its first civilian-ton-class eVTOL (“Shengshilong”) to a Japanese advanced air mobility operator, supporting demonstration flights and a target for showcasing at Expo 2025 Osaka, signaling momentum in international pilot deployments.
SHINDEV concludes that medium-to-long-term growth will depend on continued evolution in airspace governance, infrastructure rollout, certification frameworks, business model maturity, and public acceptance. With stronger policy coordination and accelerating industrial collaboration, the low-altitude economy is positioned to form a closed-loop ecosystem—manufacturing–operations–services–applications—and unlock substantial economic and societal value across transportation, logistics, public services, and tourism consumption.
