Elevating the Low-Altitude Economy to New Heights
—Interview with Luo Jun of the China Low-Altitude Economy Alliance
The low-altitude economy typically refers to a comprehensive economic ecosystem within a vertical height of 3,000 meters, driven by various manned and unmanned aerial activities. It radiates and stimulates the integrated development of related fields.
In August 2024, initiated by over 100 leading enterprises across the industry chain, the China Low-Altitude Economy Alliance was officially established in Beijing. It aims to explore business models, technology roadmap, and application scenarios for the low-altitude economy, seeking to foster international collaboration and lead the high-quality development of China's low-altitude economy.
Recently, we had an in-depth conversation with Luo Jun, the Executive Chairman of the China Low-Altitude Economy Alliance. Luo shared unique insights into the current state, development pathways, challenges, and preliminary explorations of the low-altitude economy across various regions. He emphasized that the low-altitude economy will undergo a series of developmental stages from exploration to maturity and called for courageous experimentation.
Luo Jun serves as an adjunct professor at four universities, including Jiangsu University, Hubei University, and North University of China. He has published six monographs and numerous research reports. With a decade of experience as a reporter for China Reform Daily and another decade as Secretary-General of the Asian Manufacturing Forum, Luo has also held leadership roles in the China 3D Printing Technology Industry Alliance and the International Alliance of Robotics and Smart Equipment Industries. He is a key advocate and practitioner in emerging technology fields such as 3D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence, and the low-altitude economy.
01: Open Airspace + Regularized Flights: Fueling the Takeoff of the Low-Altitude Economy
For any activity to be termed an "economy," it must encompass production, circulation, distribution, and consumption—forming a comprehensive ecosystem. The low-altitude economy is no exception. According to Luo Jun, the low-altitude economy is not defined by a single technology or product but is composed of three key elements: "hardware," "software," and "applications," which together enable commercial activities and generate economic value.
Hardware: This includes low-altitude aircraft such as drones, electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), light aircraft, and helicopters, along with their supporting avionics and control systems.
Software: This refers to the aerial flight support system, including traffic control platforms (with weather and communication capabilities) and ground service platforms, which collectively ensure safe and regular low-altitude flights.
Applications: These are the service targets of low-altitude flights, spanning logistics, agricultural protection, emergency response, infrastructure inspection, tourism, air taxis, and private travel. These applications cut across primary, secondary, and tertiary industries, forming the core of low-altitude commercial activities.
The challenge lies in integrating these three elements to activate the low-altitude economy and deliver tangible value to the market—a task the industry is actively exploring.
Luo Jun identifies two foundational conditions for the low-altitude economy:
1. Open Airspace: This is a prerequisite. Only with accessible airspace, streamlined route applications, and comprehensive support services can low-altitude flights become viable.
2. Regularized Flights: This is the cornerstone of the low-altitude economy. Without consistent flight activity, an economic ecosystem cannot form.
"To achieve regularized flights and economic activities, infrastructure, aerial traffic networks, and ground support services are essential. Building these networks will take at least 2-3 years," Luo explained.
To be continued.
