Nanfang Daily, Nanfang Plus:

With the low-altitude economy rapidly growing and low-altitude flights becoming increasingly common, how can the CAAC fulfill its industry management responsibilities and promote the development of this sector? Thank you.

Song Zhiyong:

Thanks for your question. China's low-altitude economy, based on traditional general aviation and the emerging unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) industry, has experienced robust growth in recent years. I'd like to share some data with you. Currently, the number of UAV companies holding valid Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Air Operator Certificates exceeds 14,000. Additionally, over 225,000 individuals hold UAV operator licenses. In the first half of this year, nearly 608,000 UAVs were newly registered, representing a 48% increase compared to the end of 2023. The cumulative flight time of UAVs reached 9.816 million hours, an increase of 134,000 hours over the same period last year. These figures clearly indicate that China's low-altitude economy is entering a new phase of rapid growth.

To foster the sound development of the low-altitude economy, the CAAC, as the industry's regulatory body, is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities by adopting a comprehensive approach to promote the innovative development of new types of UAVs while accelerating the transformation and upgrading of traditional general aviation. Building upon its efforts in strengthened top-level design and planning guidance, the CAAC has focused on the following five aspects:

First, strengthen airworthiness certification system and capacity building. We have worked on airworthiness certification of traditional piloted aircraft, optimized technical standards in the UAV sector, and explored and innovated the UAV airworthiness certification modes to better adapt to the airworthiness review requirements for the UAV research and development, design and production.

Second, optimize infrastructure construction standards. In response to the new demands for planning, layout and function of general airports in the development of the low-altitude economy, we've improved construction and operation standards for general airports, temporary taking-off and landing points, and vertical taking-off and landing sites. We've also guided local authorities in improving infrastructure planning and construction for UAV usage.

Third, promote the construction of low-altitude service and guarantee systems. We've expedited the implementation of airspace classification and management to fully utilize low-altitude airspace resources. In collaboration with local governments, we've made efforts to enhance the communication, navigation and surveillance capabilities of low-altitude UAVs in space, air and on land. We've also improved the flight service system at national, regional and flight service station levels, gradually providing one-stop service for low-altitude flights.

Fourth, strengthen safety operation supervision. We've further clarified and implemented regulatory responsibilities of all parties, and established safety operation rules and regulatory policies for various flight activities under converged operation scenarios, including transport aviation, general aviation and UAVs.

Fifth, standardize market management. Focusing on market access, supervision during and after implementation, and consumers rights protection for different scenarios and business forms, we've worked to stimulate market vitality, standardize market order and expand market scale, aiming to establish a favorable industrial ecology for the low-altitude economy.

Moving forward, we will continue to actively participate in the formulation of various relevant international standards and policies of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), promote China's low-altitude economy and share our operational experience in this sector. These efforts aim to build a better global policy environment for the industry's international expansion.