Low-altitude economy innovations shine at 5th CICPE

New innovations in the low-altitude economy are on display at the ongoing 5th China International Consumer Products Expo held in Haikou of Hainan province, China News Service reported on Tuesday.

"We hope to see more visitors tour around Hainan island in manned airships in the future," said Xin Guozhong, deputy general manager of Shenzhen Yingzhao Airlines Co. The civil manned airship AS700 has drawn attention due to its streamlined gas bag shape. Compared to other aircraft, the biggest advantage of airships is that they can stay airborne longer, offering breathtaking natural scenic views to tourists, enhancing their sightseeing experience.

The expo brings together leading enterprises to showcase a range of trailblazing products covering unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipment manufacturing, three-dimensional traffic control systems, flight training and low-altitude flying scenario applications.

EHang's EH216-S, a pilotless passenger-carrying aerial vehicle, is on display, showcasing its potential in sectors such as manned transportation, aerial tourism, aerial logistics and medical emergency response. With a flight endurance range of up to 30 kilometers, the vehicle effectively offers an efficient alternative to congested roads, a staff member at EHang's booth said.

XPeng AeroHT is also showcasing its groundbreaking modular flying car, the "Land Aircraft Carrier". With a large rear cabin that can contain an aircraft, the vehicle overcomes difficulties in moving and storage, meeting demands both on daily routine and outdoor exploration, as well as low-altitude tour and emergency service.

China's low-altitude economy has seen rapid growth in recent years, with its market size exceeding 500 billion yuan ($68.25 billion) in 2023. It is projected to reach 1.5 trillion yuan in economic size this year, according to data collected by China News Service.

Hainan, ranked 4th nationwide for its low-altitude economy business in 2024, continues to attract multiple enterprises to set up their business in Hainan, said Jiang Hong, deputy director of the Hainan Provincial Development and Reform Commission.