It's Called The Low Altitude Economy in China. We Call It A Blimp Here - CleanTechnica

The article discusses China’s emerging "low-altitude economy," centered around commercial activities in airspace below 1,000 meters, exemplified by the introduction of the AS700 manned airship. Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the ten-seater AS700 was delivered in September 2024 for testing and certification, with its first manned flight occurring in October. The airship, named Xiangyun ("Auspicious Cloud"), is positioned primarily for low-altitude sightseeing tours over scenic areas like Guilin’s karst landscapes. This initiative is part of a broader national strategy endorsed by the Communist Party of China, with over twenty provinces adopting policies to develop this sector, which includes drone logistics, general aviation, and air taxis. Industry forecasts predict the low-altitude economy could exceed two trillion yuan by 2030. The article contrasts China’s approach with the U.S. tradition of blimps, highlighting the historical use of non-rigid airships by