The southwestern Chinese province of Guizhou is poised to launch its first regular low-altitude drone logistics route this year, marking a significant advancement in regional transportation. This initiative follows a successful trial flight of a domestically developed electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which transported emergency medicines and agricultural products across 118 kilometers in just 40 minutes. The journey, which typically takes over two hours by traditional ground transport through Guizhou’s challenging karst landscape, demonstrates the potential of drone technology to revolutionize logistics in mountainous areas. The V2000CG CarryAll, developed by Shanghai-based AutoFlight, is the only eVTOL globally with a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 1 tonne to have obtained all three required Chinese aviation certificates. With a payload capacity of up to 400 kg and a maximum cruising speed of 200 km per hour, this aircraft is set to enhance Guizhou’s low-altitude economy, support rural revitalization, and modernize logistics. The province plans to expand the route’s applications to include passenger tourism and commuter transport in the future. China’s low-altitude economy is experiencing rapid growth, with its market value projected to soar from 500 billion yuan in 2023 to 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035.
China’s mountainous Guizhou set to launch regular low-altitude drone logistics route
