Shanghai Opens Extensive Drone Free-Fly Zones to Boost Low-Altitude Economy
- tech360.tv
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Shanghai will permit consumer drones to fly in designated airspace without prior declaration under new regulations designed to support the country’s low-altitude economy. The municipal government’s new guidelines allow micro, light, and small registered unmanned aerial vehicles to operate freely in certain suitable airspace.
These "free-to-fly" zones cover around 46% of Shanghai’s administrative areas, according to a municipal government briefing. Local authorities have also designated three parks, including the Shanghai Botanical Garden, as experience zones for drone flights.
In certain restricted flying zones, drone flights will require approval from local aviation authorities. Drone operators can apply online through the Suishenban app, which maps out both free-to-fly and restricted zones for easy reference.
The Suishenban app also serves as a comprehensive online platform for drone users to register their UAVs, declare flights, and make reservations for experience zones. This initiative highlights the growth of the local UAV market and drone activities.
This development follows the municipal government’s action plan, launched more than a year ago, to expedite its low-altitude economy development. Shanghai was home to 220,000 registered drones and nearly 800 UAV operation companies at the end of 2025, local authorities said, with 3.2 million drone flights recorded last year.
The low-altitude economy refers to new economic activities utilising airspace below 1,000 metres. This encompasses drones, electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles like flying taxis, and other aircraft.
These aircraft support diverse applications such as logistics, tourism, agriculture, emergency services, and urban air mobility. Shanghai recently released a strategic plan aiming to become a global leader in this sector.
The city’s goal is to build an industry with an output volume of 80 billion yuan (USD 11.5 billion) by 2028 and establish a national advanced manufacturing cluster. China last month made sweeping revisions to its decades-old Civil Aviation Law to cover drone flights, which will come into effect on July 1.
The interim regulations, introduced in 2024, previously mandated real-name registration for all drones. Southern China’s tech hub, Shenzhen, also has similar guidelines in place, following national UAV regulations.
Shenzhen, home to the world’s largest consumer drone maker DJI, has introduced local regulations and action plans to drive its low-altitude economy efforts. These prioritise infrastructure development and industrial applications like transport and logistics.
In an action plan released in July, Shenzhen pledged to expand suitable airspace for drones to more than 75% of the city by the end of 2026. The city aims to achieve a low-altitude economy worth over 130 billion yuan.
Shanghai has opened "free-to-fly" zones for consumer drones, covering 46% of its administrative areas.
The new regulations permit registered micro, light, and small drones to fly in designated suitable airspace without prior declaration.
The Suishenban app facilitates drone registration, flight declarations, and reservations for experience zones.
Source: SCMP
