5th Emerging Air Economy Development Conference gears up for takeoff in Wuhu
By Wang Shining, Wang Jun and Liu Weisheng | wuhunews.cn
The 5th Emerging Air Economy Development Conference, a national industry gathering held in Wuhu for the fifth consecutive year, is set to take place from September 3 to 5. Under the theme "Creating a Safe New Low-Altitude Ecosystem and Building a New Pillar of High-Quality Development," the event will bring together government, industry, academia, research institutions and investors to fuel the high-quality growth of the low-altitude economy.
After years of dedicated efforts, the conference has delivered a remarkable record: more than 12,000 registered participants, over 3,000 enterprises from the industrial chain and upwards of 20,000 professional visitors. It has facilitated the signing of 168 projects with total investment approaching 67 billion yuan. Leveraging the platform's momentum, the city's industrial identity — "For large aircraft, look to Shanghai; for small aircraft, look to Wuhu" — has become even more prominent. A city-wide layout of "one core, two wings and four centers" has taken shape, covering the full spectrum of the industry: complete aircraft manufacturing, avionics, operation and maintenance services, new aviation materials and demonstration scenarios, thereby solidifying the foundation for industrial cluster development.
This year, as the state continues to elevate the strategic positioning of the low-altitude economy, the sector has moved beyond the pilot and incubation phase and is accelerating toward scaled-up, industrialized growth. Guided by the principle of "no safety, no low-altitude economy," the conference is establishing a high-level think tank platform featuring a main plenary session alongside several parallel thematic panels. The opening ceremony will showcase a series of major industrial milestones, including a report on Anhui's low-altitude economy development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the launch of the Yangtze River Delta G60 Joint Action Initiative on Low-Altitude Safety, and the unveiling of the Yangtze River Delta Low-Altitude Economy Comprehensive Testing and Verification Base. A ceremony for the overseas delivery of domestically manufactured aircraft will also be held. Subsequent sessions will delve into core topics such as low-altitude safety and security, equipment airworthiness, digital infrastructure, low-altitude logistics, regional coordination and industrial capital. The event will bring together leading academics, industry experts and representatives from major domestic and international enterprises, all working to address the real-world challenges facing the industry's development.
Overall, this year's conference is structured around five key pillars: conferences, exhibitions, demonstrations, events and matchmaking. A dedicated exhibition on low-altitude economy innovation showcases cutting-edge developments, including eVTOL aircraft, industrial drones, next-generation low-altitude infrastructure and countermeasure equipment. Industry players are joining forces with public security, emergency management, meteorological and postal authorities to mount a large-scale outdoor static equipment display, transforming low-altitude management concepts into practical capabilities. The conference also hosts a series of side events — supply-demand matchmaking, industry-finance roadshows, international investment promotion and industrial site visits — all aimed at creating synergies between policy, technology, capital and real-world applications, and accelerating the rollout of high-quality projects.
Notably, the conference also hosts the 2026 Yangtze River Delta Drone Football Open, extending low-altitude technology into the realm of mass sports. After exploring the high-tech industry exhibitions, visitors can immediately enjoy thrilling aerial contests.
Safety remains the cornerstone of the low-altitude economy's takeoff and sustained growth. From conference sessions on risk prevention and control, to exhibition floors packed with safety technologies, to strict flight regulations during competitions — safety underpins every aspect of the event. The conference is expected to drive deeper integration of policy, application scenarios, technology and capital.
This September, Wuhu welcomes a gathering of distinguished guests. Let us look forward together to a safer and broader future for the low-altitude economy.