Policy Address 2025: Government to support low-altitude economy with new action plan

Hong Kong will create more legislation promoting the low-altitude economy, mostly focused on drone activities, said Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in the policy address this morning. 

Potential activities in airspace under 1,000 metres include drone rescues, surveys and deliveries.

Food delivery platform Keeta launched drone food delivery in a small area in the New Territories in June.

Keeta, along with SF Express and Lalamove, were some of the first applicants to apply for drone activities in March.

Improving civil aviation legislation and regulatory framework, promoting infrastructure facilities, organising more talent trainings, enhancing the application system and developing low-altitude economy insurance products were all mentioned in the policy address this year. 

More complex government plans will establish air route networks, satellite positioning, three-dimensional spatial data systems and a smart and traffic-management system for low-altitude passenger aircrafts, Lee said. 

“With countless islands in the city, it is a perfect scenario to apply passenger-carrying aircraft,” said Huang Hailong, assistant professor in the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and leader of the university research group on autonomous technology. “For people living on the islands who have urgent medical needs, using drones to access hospitals is more convenient and cost-effective than ships and helicopters.”

“In the meantime, the government should establish clear regulations including administrative penalties to curb illegal flights, considering safety should be the first priority in developing the low-altitude economy,” said Huang.

He said third-party insurance similar to car insurance can be introduced.

“Low-altitude technology can also be applied to sectors including express delivery, emergency rescue and construction monitoring in the future,” said Zhang Feiyang, Research Manager of Our Hong Kong Foundation and one of the authors of the organisation’s policy recommendation report to the government regarding low-altitude economy.

“To serve as a global role model for the low-altitude economy, I look forward to seeing more infrastructure, including 5G stations and weather stations, to utilise these drones better in Hong Kong,” said Zhang.