Cautious Regulators Steer China’s Flying Vehicle Industry to Prioritize Cargo Over Commuters

China’s electric flying vehicle industry looks to be putting hauling cargo ahead of carrying commuters as regulators take a cautious approach to overseeing the airspace at the heart of what the government sees as an emerging pillar industry.

The regulators’ pragmatic approach positions logistics as the initial testing ground for the low-altitude economy, a term that refers to a wide range of commercial aerial activities typically taking place below 1,000 meters (3,281 feet), such as drone-based freight delivery and flying taxis. Regulators aim for companies to establish mature business models before tackling the complexities of urban commuter flights.