2024低空经济行业研究报告-深企投产业研究院

Industry Overview - Low-altitude economy refers to economic activities within the low-altitude airspace, typically below 1000 meters, extending up to 3000 meters in some regions. It includes various aircraft such as helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, eVTOLs, and drones, with eVTOLs and drones expected to dominate in the future [7] - The low-altitude economy is a comprehensive economic sector driven by low-altitude flight activities, including passenger, cargo, and other operations, fostering the integration of related fields [7] - Historically, China's low-altitude airspace was primarily controlled by the military, requiring strict approvals for general aviation activities. However, reforms since 2000 have gradually opened up this airspace, with significant progress in 2023 when the National Air Traffic Control Commission classified airspace into seven categories, opening G and W classes for low-altitude activities [8] Market Size and Growth - The global urban air mobility (UAM) market, centered around eVTOLs, is projected to reach $550 billion by 2030 and exceed $1 trillion by 2040, with cargo logistics and urban passenger transport being the primary drivers [24] - China's low-altitude economy surpassed 500 billion yuan in 2023 and is expected to exceed 1 trillion yuan by 2026. The sector has seen rapid growth, with over 57,000 companies operating in this space, 80% of which were established in the last decade [26] - The eVTOL market in China is projected to grow from 9.8 billion yuan in 2023 to 95 billion yuan by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 97% [38] Key Applications - Low-altitude economy applications are divided into production operations, general aviation transport, public services, and aviation consumption. Production operations include agriculture, forestry, and industrial inspections, while general aviation transport covers passenger and cargo transport, including urban air mobility (UAM) [10][11] - Public services include emergency rescue, law enforcement, and environmental monitoring, with helicopters currently dominating this space. eVTOLs are expected to complement these services in the future [12] - Aviation consumption includes flight training, aerial tourism, and entertainment activities. eVTOLs are anticipated to revolutionize low-altitude tourism, becoming the primary aircraft for such activities [12] Policy and Regulatory Framework - China has accelerated low-altitude economy-related policies since the 14th Five-Year Plan, with significant milestones including the inclusion of low-altitude economy in the National Comprehensive Transportation Network Plan in 2021 and the issuance of the "General Aviation Equipment Innovation Application Implementation Plan (2024-2030)" in 2024 [13][14] - Local governments have also introduced policies to support low-altitude economy development, with over 20 provinces mentioning low-altitude economy in their government work reports by March 2024 [18][19] Key Market Segments Drones - China's drone industry is a global leader, holding 70% of the global market share. In 2023, China produced over 3.17 million civilian drones, with the industry's scale reaching 117.4 billion yuan. The market is expected to exceed 200 billion yuan by 2025, driven by industrial applications [28] - Domestic brands dominate the global consumer drone market, with DJI holding a 70% market share. Industrial drones are widely used in agriculture, power inspections, and logistics [29][30] General Aviation Aircraft - The global general aviation aircraft market is mature, with 4,012 aircraft delivered in 2023, totaling $27.8 billion. The U.S. dominates this market, accounting for 71.1% of fixed-wing aircraft deliveries [34][35] - China's general aviation sector is growing, with 3,173 registered aircraft and 451 general aviation airports by the end of 2023. However, the sector still lags behind the U.S., which has over 212,900 general aviation aircraft [35] eVTOL - The eVTOL market is expected to grow rapidly, with global demand projected to reach 42,000 units by 2035. China's eVTOL market is forecasted to reach 32 billion yuan in 2024, with significant growth in both private and public transportation sectors [38][39] - eVTOLs are seen as a key technology for China to leapfrog in the aviation sector, leveraging advancements in electric, intelligent, and connected technologies. The potential applications include passenger transport, cargo delivery, public services, and private flights [41][42] Key Players Drones - DJI dominates the global consumer drone market, with other notable players including Zero Zero Robotics, Yuneec, and XAG in the industrial drone sector [29][30] General Aviation Aircraft - Major global players include Textron Aviation, Cirrus Aircraft, and Diamond Aircraft, with Chinese companies like AVIC General Aviation and Wanfeng Aviation also making strides [36][37] eVTOL - Global eVTOL companies include Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, and Lilium, while Chinese companies like EHang, XPeng Aeroht, and AutoFlight are leading the domestic market [52][54][57] Technology and Supply Chain - eVTOL technology routes include multi-rotor, compound wing, and tilt-rotor configurations, with each having its advantages and challenges. The industry is still exploring the most efficient and cost-effective solutions [48][49] - The eVTOL supply chain is diverse, with components sourced from both the aviation and automotive industries. Key systems include propulsion, avionics, energy, and structural systems, with significant value attributed to propulsion and avionics [62][63]