Beijing bans owning and flying recreational drones after small plane hits CITIC Tower
Beijing issued official aviation safety regulations and guidance on Sunday, September 13, banning the public from owning or keeping drones and drone parts starting November 15. Residents have until November 14 to move drones out of Beijing, and the government will run a buyback program with a maximum subsidy of 3,000 yuan, about 447 dollars, per device. The measure is one of the strictest drone controls in the world, coming after a two-seat light aircraft struck the 109-story CITIC Tower in June, killing the pilot and injuring 13 people. The crash site was only a few kilometers from the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party and the residences of senior leaders. The new rules designate all of Beijing's airspace as controlled airspace, ban all forms of recreational flying, and officials will tighten control of airspace in and around the capital within a 300-kilometer radius. Although commercial flights are not affected, aircraft must have backup tracking systems and maintain two-way communication with air traffic controllers at all times. Reports say the pilot in the CITIC Tower incident deliberately flew the plane into the building after deviating from the designated flight path, and it is highly likely he ignored contact from air traffic controllers. The aircraft also nearly collided with a commercial plane. Meanwhile, shares of companies tied to China's low-altitude aviation industry fell in trading today, September 14. Nanjing LES Information Technology dropped 2.1%, Zhejiang Wanfeng Auto Wheel fell 1.5%, and Citic Offshore Helicopter declined 1.7%.
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China Declares Low-Altitude Economy a National Strategy, Opening a New Investment Arena
China has declared the low-altitude economy a national strategy under the concept of New Productive Forces. By 2026, cargo drones, agricultural drones, and flying taxis (eVTOL) will begin commercial services in several provinces, creating enormous economic value from the supply chain in airspace below 1,000 meters. Two standout case studies are EHang Holdings, the first Chinese company to receive a Type Certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for commercial eVTOL, and Sichuan Jiuzhou, a state-owned enterprise that produces radar and ADS-B systems and controls air traffic infrastructure. Both companies have strong business moats in terms of regulation and national security. While the world is focused on the EV price war, a new battleground over China's skies has opened, and the winners will be those who secure licenses and infrastructure first.
Thailand Partners with ICAO to Host AAM 2026, Boosting Aviation Hub Ambitions
Thailand has signed an agreement with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to host the Second Advanced Air Mobility Symposium 2026, or AAM 2026, from December 1-3, 2026, under the theme "From Vision to Implementation: Enabling the AAM Ecosystem." The signing ceremony was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. ICAO will invite representatives from all 193 member states, with an expected attendance of around 1,500 participants. Thailand hopes to use this opportunity to showcase its capacity to support future aviation technologies, attract investment, and elevate its status as a regional aviation hub. Additionally, Thailand and ICAO will jointly develop the "Bangkok Statement" to outline guidelines for the adoption of Advanced Air Mobility, building on the Call to Action document from the AAM 2024 meeting in Montreal, Canada. AAM 2026 will feature seminars, exhibitions, and flight demonstrations to build confidence and lay the foundation for the long-term development of Thailand's aviation industry.