The city’s Low-Altitude Economy Industry Association has, directed by the Low-Altitude Special Task Force and the military and civil aviation authorities,  officially released the Interim Consensus on Low-Altitude Flight Operations (hereinafter “the Consensus”). It is a self-made code for industrial insiders grounded in existing low-altitude regulations and the real-world flight experience, designed to foster a safe and well-ordered airspace environment - paving the way for the growth of Hangzhou’s low-altitude economy.   

The Consensus sets clear expectations or requirements on operator qualifications, operational control, proactive data reporting, flight plan submission, airspace usage, and airworthiness standards, etc. For instance, operators are required to connect their systems to Hangzhou’s low-altitude service supervision system and submit airspace and flight plans within specified time frames and in proper formats before any flight activity.  

Notably, the Consensus introduces experimental frameworks and benchmarks for airspace classification - by zone, layer, and use - as well as guidelines on flight separation, takeoff/landing procedures, and service standards. This marks a significant step forward in Hangzhou’s efforts to pioneer coordinated low-altitude flight management.  

The Association brings together over a hundred companies and research institutions spanning low-altitude manufacturing, flight operations, services, and R&D. “We are establishing a self-regulated model that can be replicated else where,” said an officer from the city’s Low-Altitude Management Office. “We want to start with businesses and gradually expand this into a set of widely accepted norms for the entire city.”   

Looking ahead, the city will continue to fine-tune technical standards of the Consensus hand-in-hand with the local authorities, experts, and insiders. Efforts will also focus on building a coordinated mechanism among military, government, and civilian stakeholders - aimed to facilitate safety oversight, streamline operations, and improve services. The actions will lay the groundwork for Hangzhou to be a national leader in low-altitude economy and make it stronger.