The 15th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China) took place recently in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. Fancy and trendy flying vehicles such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and future-oriented new-configuration aircraft are highlights of the airshow. The expanding range of low-altitude application scenarios not only fosters new opportunities for businesses and the public but also sparks fresh aspirations.
Photo Credit: Xinhua News Agency
Aerofugia, a subsidiary of Geely Technology Group, launched the batch production version of its AE200 manned tilt rotor eVTOL aircraft at the airshow. The launch confirmed that this type of globally leading eVTOL aircraft has moved from scientific research to the mass production stage. It is scheduled to start manned verification flights in 2025.
The AS700 "Xiangyun" civil manned airship, independently developed by China Special Vehicle Research Institute, a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), secured a purchase order for 10 airships and obtained additional intent purchase orders for 164 such aircraft. Jingmen Urban Construction Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd., the first mystery client to place an order for such airship on Taobao, signed an intent purchase order for 60 AS700 airships at the airshow. "The airship will initially be deployed in fashionable tourism applications. In the future, we plan to expand its use to aerial photography, city inspections and other application scenarios under continuous exploration," said a responsible person of the company.
During the airshow, AVIC held a press conference under the theme "Low-Altitude Economy", where it unveiled its latest drones and eVTOL products. The aim was to present the blueprint for developing products within the low-altitude economy and to foster discussions across various sectors of society regarding the future trajectory of this sector.
The 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) took place at both the China National Convention Center and the Shougang Park from September 12 to 16. This year, the fair highlighted the fast-developing low-altitude economy. The Global Alliance for Trade in Services (GATIS) set up a special aviation exhibition area of about 300 square meters at the China National Convention Center. The exhibition area focused on aviation services, aviation technical support, and low-altitude economy.
In the exhibition area, several enterprises competing for the low-altitude economy brought their latest or core products in the hope of winning new orders through the platform of CIFTIS.
Photo Credit: Xinhua News Agency
FlightWin presented its FWH-1500 unmanned helicopter at the fair, drawing the attention of numerous visitors. The FWH-1500-ton unmanned helicopter is a high-altitude model independently developed by FlightWin. With a maximum takeoff weight of 1,000kg and a service ceiling of 6,500m, it can sustain flight for approximately 5 hours under a 300kg payload. It is well-suited for tasks such as emergency communication support, emergency rescue, forest firefighting, and aerial geological surveying. Notably, this year, the drone has already been deployed for emergency communication support in flood control efforts.
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During this year's CIFTIS, a variety of delivery drones were on display. An official from Meituan revealed that Meituan drones opened Beijing's first drone delivery route above the Badaling Great Wall, offering heatstroke prevention supplies and emergency rescue products for tourists near the landing site. As of now, Meituan drone service has established more than 30 air delivery routes in key cities like Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Guangzhou, successfully fulfilling over 300,000 orders. Their services span a diverse array of settings, including offices, communities, scenic spots, municipal parks, emergency medical care centers, campuses, and libraries.
The EH216-S passenger-carrying UAV of EHang Intelligent Equipment (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. is a star product in the low-altitude economy. This year, the product was also displayed at the CIFTIS. It is the world's first eVTOL aircraft that has a type certificate (TC), standard airworthiness certificate (AC), and production certificate (PC). Thanks to the three certificates, EH216-S has experienced a significant increase in sales, with 49 sold in the second quarter of this year. This aircraft, known as an air taxi, is used for short-haul flights.
Photo Credit: Young Pai
In addition, the low-altitude economy, covering low-altitude manufacturing, infrastructure, support, and integrated services, represents a comprehensive economic form with a long industrial chain that can drive the development of industries around it. At the Guangdong Pavilion of this year's CIFTIS, Guangzhou Chenchuang Technology Development Co., Ltd. presented several radar products, all related to low-altitude infrastructure and low-altitude services.
● China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) is co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality.
● CIFTIS is the largest comprehensive fair in the field of global trade in services, serving as an exhibition window, communication platform and cooperation bridge for the service industry and trade in services.
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