Shenzhen Implements Detailed Rules for Low-Altitude Economy Development Support Measures
The “Implementation Rules for Shenzhen’s Measures to Support High-Quality Development of the Low-Altitude Economy” have taken effect since October 9th, according to the latest municipal government gazette.
The low-altitude economy industry is entering a strategic period of opportunity. Shenzhen is accelerating its deployment to support high-quality development in this sector, explicitly proposing to comprehensively build a global low-altitude economy headquarters R&D center, high-end intelligent manufacturing center, full-scenario demonstration verification center, and one-stop solution supply center. The Implementation Rules introduce specific funding schemes focusing on four major projects: airworthiness certification for manned eVTOL aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, expanding the scale of the low-altitude logistics market, opening short-distance general aviation transportation routes, and establishing high-end innovation platforms. This encourages various enterprises, universities, and research institutions to jointly participate in accelerating the construction of the “Sky City.”
Encouraging “Shenzhen Manufacturing” with High-Value Rewards for Aircraft Airworthiness Certification
The Implementation Rules specify substantial support for research and manufacturing: enterprises that obtain type certificates and production licenses from the Civil Aviation Administration of China for eVTOL aircraft (known as “air taxis”) and unmanned aerial vehicles, and operate in Shenzhen, can receive one-time rewards of 15 million yuan for their developed and manufactured manned eVTOL aircraft. Large and medium unmanned aerial vehicles developed and manufactured by these enterprises can receive one-time rewards of 5 million yuan and 3 million yuan respectively. Each enterprise can receive a maximum total annual reward of 30 million yuan. This initiative helps accelerate the commercialization of “Shenzhen-made” aircraft.
Expanding Logistics Scale with Tiered Incentives for Aircraft Flight Operations
To expand the scale of the low-altitude logistics market, the Implementation Rules set tiered rewards for enterprises conducting low-altitude logistics distribution operations in Shenzhen:
For small unmanned aerial vehicles, newly opened routes with annual flights exceeding 5,000 sorties can receive a one-time reward of 200,000 yuan; enterprises reaching 20,000 total annual sorties in the first year can receive a 400,000 yuan reward, with an additional 400,000 yuan for every subsequent 20,000 sorties increase.
For large and medium unmanned aerial vehicles, newly opened routes with annual flights exceeding 1,000 sorties can receive a one-time reward of 350,000 yuan; enterprises reaching 20,000 total annual sorties in the first year can receive an 800,000 yuan reward, with an additional 800,000 yuan for every subsequent 20,000 sorties increase.
Each enterprise can receive a maximum combined annual reward of 20 million yuan for newly opened routes and total flight sorties.
Expanding Transportation Scenarios with Focus on Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cross-Border Routes
For enterprises operating short-distance general aviation transportation, the Implementation Rules provide support categorized into domestic and Shenzhen-Hong Kong cross-border routes:
For domestic routes, single routes with annual operations of at least 100 sorties can receive a one-time reward of 300,000 yuan. Enterprises reaching 100 total annual sorties in the first year can receive a 300,000 yuan reward, with an additional 300,000 yuan for every subsequent 100 sorties increase. For Shenzhen-Hong Kong cross-border routes, single routes can receive a one-time reward of 1 million yuan. Enterprises reaching 100 total annual sorties can receive a 500,000 yuan reward, with an additional 500,000 yuan for every subsequent 100 sorties increase.
Each enterprise can receive a maximum combined annual reward of 6 million yuan for route rewards and total flight sorties rewards.
Strengthening Platform Construction to Support High-End Innovation Platforms
The Implementation Rules provide funding for various enterprises, universities, and research institutions establishing innovative research institutions in the low-altitude economy sector in Shenzhen. Civil aviation key laboratories recognized and accredited by national civil aviation authorities that establish operations in Shenzhen can receive maximum rewards of 10 million yuan.
