Imagine ordering bubble tea via drone or commuting by air taxi – this could be daily life in China by 2030! ✨ Pilot Zhang Bo, who made aviation history with his 2016 solo global flight, reveals how the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) will transform our skies through cutting-edge aviation tech.
"Low-altitude airspace isn’t just for jets – it’s the next frontier for smart logistics and urban mobility," Zhang tells NewspaperAmigo. The plan prioritizes drone delivery networks, electric vertical takeoff aircraft (eVTOLs), and AI-powered air traffic control systems that could make China a global leader in ‘sky highways’ 🚁.
Three key areas to watch:
Drone Delivery Boom: Over 1,500 new routes planned for medical supplies and e-commerce
Urban Air Mobility: Test flights for 5-seater air taxis begin in Shenzhen this March
Green Aviation: Solar-powered cargo drones set to reduce emissions by 40% vs trucks
Students and startups take note: The plan allocates ¥20 billion ($2.8B) for aviation R&D grants through 2028. As Zhang puts it: "The sky’s becoming the world’s most exciting startup incubator." 🌤️
While challenges like airspace management remain, this blueprint could position China’s low-altitude economy to soar past $500 billion by 2030 – changing how we live, shop, and travel across Asia and beyond 🌏.
