Flying taxis, airships and drones: the rise of China's low-altitude economy

Until recently, flying cars were merely a science-fiction dream, often depicted in films and cartoons. Now, China has transformed the vision into reality with its rapidly evolving "low-altitude economy", which includes electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, drones and airships. The burgeoning industry was valued at over 500 billion yuan (US$70 billion) in 2023 and is projected to soar to 2 trillion yuan (US$280 billion) by 2030. While innovations such as drone deliveries and flying taxis promise to enhance urban mobility and reduce travel times, significant concerns about costs, regulatory frameworks and safety persist. Nevertheless, China's advancements in aerial transport could redefine how we navigate urban environments.