Shenzhen is among six cities to launch pilot programs for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as recently announced during a forum in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province. In response to this initiative, Dapeng New District is actively advancing the development of the low-altitude economy.

In September, Dapeng released guidelines for the high-quality development of low-altitude aviation, which will be effective from 2024 to 2026. The measures outline three aspects: overall objectives, key tasks, and supporting measures. The area aims to become a leading hub for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) development and establish a comprehensive testing cluster serving the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The plan specifies the construction of a UAV testing base and calls for the designation of more than 100 take-off and landing points across Dapeng. Additionally, it aims to establish low-altitude economic industrial clusters with diverse features, striving to achieve a scale exceeding 2 billion yuan (US$280 million) by 2026. According to the plan, the area aims to attract over 40 enterprises to establish their offices in Dapeng, develop at least two national and provincial-level technology platforms, and open at least 50 low-altitude air routes for logistics, tourism, and urban governance.

The initiative aims to expand application scenarios for the low-altitude economy, including improving UAV logistics service coverage and opening new air routes for urban air transportation, particularly helicopter and eVTOL routes connecting Dapeng Peninsula with Shekou Cruise Homeport, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, and Shenzhen North Railway Station.