This is a nationwide flight authorisation portal which brings together several different systems which have been developed regionally to authorise growing numbers of drone flights in the country.
According to a recent government report (see sources below), most provincial governments have incorporated low-altitude economy into their development agendas. This includes providing substantial subsidies to drone operating companies.
“Cities like east China’s Hangzhou and central China’s Wuhan are spearheading initiatives,” said the report. “Hangzhou identified low-altitude economy as one of its five pioneering industries in the future, focusing on low-altitude industries and traffic, while Wuhan aims to build 1,000 drone hangars and an integrated management system by 2030.”
“If you want to apply for low-altitude flight in the future, you only need to operate on one platform, and you can achieve “one window acceptance, one network service”…and the approval time is expected to be shortened by more than 50%!” according to the Weixin report on the new drone flight authorisation system, translated into English with google translate. “Imagine that you may have to wait a week for a flight permit, but now you can do it in three days. What’s even more exciting is that the new system also incorporates artificial intelligence and big data technology to automatically plan optimal routes, predict flight risks, and monitor air traffic conditions in real time. This is like installing a “smart brain” for low-altitude flight, which is both safe and efficient.”
Another Chinese news portal Outlook New Era has given more details of the system.
“According to the relevant person in charge of the Central Air Traffic Control Office, based on the above documents, the Central Air Traffic Control Office will unify the module interfaces of airspace management, flight information, flight services, etc., standardize the functional requirements of flight declaration, alarm, linkage disposal, etc., and comprehensively strengthen the dynamic supervision and service of low altitude flight activities nationwide. At the same time, organize specialized training for air traffic control coordination committees in various regions, relevant personnel from provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps to systematically enhance their planning, construction, operation, and management capabilities”
According to some figures at the start of 2025 there were approximately 2.2 million civilian drones operating in China, a 455% increase over five years. And with the first un-piloted eVTOL operations due to start next month, the new flight authorisation system launch has been carefully timed.
In September 2025, the CAAC issued new regulations covering eVTOL sight-seeing operations.
“The Interim Measures for the Administration of the Aerial Sightseeing Market comprises 29 articles that are organized into four chapters: General, Operational Service Requirements, Supervision and Inspection, and Supplementary Provisions,” according to the CAAC. “It specifies detailed requirements for enterprise market access, service standards for aerial sightseeing, pricing management, consumer rights protection, and supervision and inspection, aiming to enhance the quality and performance of aerial sightseeing service operations.”
For more information
https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202510/17/content_WS68f1feb5c6d00ca5f9a06ddb.html
https://outlooknewera.com/pcen/info_view.php?tab=mynews&VID=72037
On December 14, 2025, your life will be completely changed by the low-altitude economy
https://www.caac.gov.cn/English/News/202509/t20250922_228685.html
(Image: A drone view of Shenzhen – Shutterstock