Editorial | With right safeguards low-altitude economy can take off for Hong Kong
As drone deliveries and air taxis lead the way in mainland China, city is also planning to reach for the skies
When it comes to unleashing the potential of the so-called low-altitude economy, the only limit is perhaps the sky, and imagination. To the scepticism of many who are unfamiliar with the trend, Hong Kong officials have finally jumped on the drone bandwagon.
The low-altitude economy generally refers to activities in airspace below 1,000 metres, including goods delivered by drones or passenger flights using electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Riding on the boom across the border, a high-level government working group has been set up to propel development on this front.
This includes mapping out strategies and action plans, along with changes to legal barriers that may otherwise clip the wings of promising projects.
Exactly what projects and when they may take off remains to be seen. But the emerging field is touted as a new engine for economic growth.
Among the initial ideas floated by government officials are letters and medication deliveries by unmanned aircraft. The Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone in the Lok Ma Chau Loop also has been earmarked for more trial activities.
