AG100, a state-of-the-art trainer aircraft developed and produced independently in Deqing county, Huzhou. [Photo/hz66.com]

The once fantastical ideas of freshly brewed coffee delivered via drone, air-taxi commutes, and weekend helicopter rides have become a reality.

In Deqing county, Huzhou, the low-altitude economy is taking flight.

The AG100, a state-of-the-art trainer aircraft developed and produced independently in Deqing county, took to the skies on April 21 from Moganshan General Airport, marking the beginning of a journey to three general airports in Anhui and Henan provinces.

At Zhejiang University of Technology's Moganshan campus, drone deliveries have been seamlessly integrated into the daily lives of students. One student commented, "When we order food through an e-commerce app, it usually takes 30-40 minutes and requires us to leave the campus to pick it up. Here, with the drones, the food arrives in just 15-20 minutes, still piping hot."

Taking advantage of the burgeoning low-altitude economy, Deqing introduced eight new policies for the general aviation industry in November 2023. These policies provide significant subsidies and support for businesses involved in the low-altitude economy.

While there is currently no official definition for the "low-altitude economy", it primarily refers to a new economic sector that utilizes airspace below 3,000 meters to conduct a variety of activities involving both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, such as aircraft manufacturing, low-altitude flight operations, and integrated services.