2026 is ChinaLow-altitude economyA milestone year for development. As a nationally recognized emerging pillar industry, the low-altitude economy has been officially included in the overall layout of the 15th Five-Year Plan. The newly revised Civil Aviation Law came into effect on July 1, the Low-Altitude Safety Department of the Civil Aviation Administration of China was officially established, and the industry’s legal regulatory system and professional governance capabilities have been comprehensively upgraded, entering a critical stage of consolidating the foundation and making comprehensive efforts. The industry insists on balancing development and safety, driving technological iteration through scenario implementation, releasing industrial momentum through ecosystem collaboration, and expanding value boundaries with a livelihood-oriented approach, steadily moving toward scale, standardization, and high quality.

At this critical juncture for industrial upgrading, the 2026 International Low-Altitude Economy Expo will be held from July 22 to 25 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) Grand opening. This year’s expo, themed “Harnessing New Trends in Low Altitude, Opening a New Chapter in the Economy,” focuses on three major dimensions to create an international benchmark event: centered on emerging aircraft, presenting a complete future low-altitude full industry chain; With the Yangtze River Delta as the core, global resources are gathered to build a high-level industrial ecosystem; Adhering to a universal benefit orientation, the achievements of low-altitude economy development are deeply integrated into people’s lives。

The 2026 International Low-Altitude Economy Expo is jointly organized by the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), Donghao Lansheng Group, and Shanghai Guozhan Group, with three national-level industry associations—the China Civil Airports Association, the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the China Security Products Industry Association—participating as special partners. The exhibition covers a total area of 60,000 square meters, gathering over 400 domestic and international exhibitors. It hosts more than 80 high-end forums and diverse public interactive activities concurrently, creating a core industry exchange platform integrating technology display, ecosystem matchmaking, and popular science popularization.

This year’s expo highlighted emerging aircraft as its core highlight, fully integrating the entire industry chain of “complete aircraft manufacturing—core supporting facilities—infrastructure safety—industrial services,” and showcased China’s complete industrial layout and robust technological strength in the low-altitude economy.

A diverse pool of market players gathered, fully demonstrating the core competitiveness of China’s low-altitude economy industry.This expo brings together four core market entities: central and state-owned enterprises, national teams, foreign joint ventures, listed industrial enterprises, and leading startups, fully presenting the industry’s diverse, symbiotic, and innovative industrial landscape. Focusing on China Ordnance Industries, AVIC Chengdu Aircraft, Aviation Industry Civil Aircraft Airborne, Aviation Industry Xi’an Aircraft Civil Aircraft, China Aerospace Era Electronics,China Post Express LogisticsRepresenting national teams and central enterprises, they brought national-level core technology solutions and laid a solid foundation for industrial development; Foreign enterprises such as Anji Avionic, Dassault Systèmes, Siemens, NSK, Epson, Dell, and Evonik Special Chemicals have entered the field with cutting-edge international technologies, building bridges for the integration of Chinese and foreign industrial technologies; EHang Intelligent, Zhonghe Technology, Huace Navigation,SichuanListed companies such as Huafeng Technology and Guanglian Aviation showcased their achievements in low-altitude commercialization, highlighting the vitality of industrial market-oriented development; Star companies such as Volant Aviation, Time Technology, Blue Vector SKYLA, Wofei Changkong, Fengfei Aviation, Yufeng Future, Lanyi Aviation, Weixin Aerospace, SkySky Aviation, Azure Space, and Zhihang Broadcom continued to make efforts, showcasing eVTOL innovations. Multiple major aircraft models made their debut at the expo, fully demonstrating the technological breakthroughs and commercialization potential of domestic low-altitude intelligent manufacturing.dronesThe track is also fully equipped with DJI industry applications、Meituan drones,Achieving utmost wisdom, Fengyi Technology, Northern Changying,ZhejiangLeading companies such as GeekBridge Intelligence, Tianyi Technology, SVOLT Aerospace, and Qingdong Qianji participated in the exhibition, covering mature application scenarios such as industrial inspection, emergency rescue, logistics distribution, and public security, comprehensively showcasing the large-scale deployment effectiveness of low-altitude unmanned equipment.

Core supporting links are now fully covered, precisely addressing industry chain shortcomings.In the energy and power sector, companies such as Niu Washike, Zhejiang Haizhe New Energy, Xiehydrogen New Energy, Zhejiang Hydrogen Navigation Technology, and Hangxing Kinetic Energy will showcase cutting-edge technology routes for power batteries and hydrogen power; In the avionics system field, local companies such as Jitai Aviation, Zhonghe Technology, Boundary Intelligent Control, Anhui Huaming Avionic, Hangwei Zhixin, and Junfeng Electric Control have deeply cultivated core areas such as flight control, sensing, and communications, continuously advancing independent R&D of core technologies; Leading Sino-foreign joint ventures such as Angji Avionics have entered the market with mature avionics integration solutions, jointly supporting the iteration and upgrading of the avionics systems of domestic low-altitude aircraft. In the advanced materials sector, local companies such as AVIC Standard Parts, Mingde New Materials, Wuxi Shunxuan New Materials, Ningbo Refico Carbon Fiber, Kailu Composite Materials, Shanghai Plastics Research Institute Co., Ltd., and Aneso 3D Printing are focusing on continuous breakthroughs in carbon fiber structural parts, special engineering materials, and lightweight molding technologies; International material giants such as Evonik Specialty Chemicals bring cutting-edge aerospace-grade material solutions worldwide. Domestic and foreign enterprises collaborate and complement each other to jointly improve the supply chain system for low-altitude equipment materials, providing diversified technical support for aircraft weight reduction, efficiency improvement, and enhanced safety performance.

Low-altitude infrastructure and safety governance systems have been introduced simultaneously, consolidating the foundational support for industrial development.This year’s expo is being practicedThe security development philosophy of “only by controlling can you unleash freedom” comprehensively presents integrated safe operation capabilities including low-altitude communication networking, sensing supervision, airworthiness verification, and operational support. On the communication network infrastructure level, China Telecom and China Unicom are showcasing core solutions such as low-altitude intelligent networking and airspace digital management systems, building a digital foundation for low-altitude flight; In the field of navigation perception, Huace Navigation, Qianxun Positioning,NanjingCompanies like Lys Information have brought technological achievements such as Beidou high-precision positioning, low-altitude surveillance radar, and all-domain sensing networks, enabling precise identification and dynamic control of low-altitude targets. In terms of safety supervision, companies such as Ligong Quansheng, Chengdu Aerospace Intelligent Defense, Anhui Landun Optoelectronics, and Shanghai Tejin showcased technologies and equipment for drone countermeasures, airspace security, and black flight prevention, strengthening the defense line for low-altitude safety management. Airworthiness Verification Field,Shanghai Aokun Information Technology,ChongqingHarding Environmental Testing, Zhejiang Kunpeng Aviation Technical Testing,BeijingProfessional organizations such as Boko Testing provide full-process environmental testing, flight testing, and airworthiness verification services to support the compliant implementation of low-altitude equipment. Combined with the operational support capabilities of the Haishi Meteorological Bureau and the Shanghai Lightning Protection Center, which provide meteorological monitoring and lightning protection, this expo has built a full-chain safety system from multiple dimensions including network, perception, supervision, compliance, and assurance, presenting a full-chain safety support system for low-altitude flight.

Relying on Shanghai’s advantages as an international hub and the Yangtze River Delta industrial cluster heritage, this expo gathers core domestic and international resources, building a multi-level industrial ecosystem of “regional collaboration—national linkage—global docking,” empowering the high-quality development of the low-altitude economy.

The Yangtze River Delta has deeply linked industrial resources across the entire region, showcasing the achievements of industrial agglomeration.The four major cities: Changning, Minhang, Jinshan, and QingpuShanghai’s low-altitude economyKey regional groups will participate, bringing together leading enterprises and industrial parks in their jurisdictions, comprehensively showcasing Shanghai’s mature ecosystem in industrial carrier construction, park operations, investment promotion, and scenario implementation. The synergistic effects of Yangtze River Delta integration have been fully unleashed. This year’s expo brings together high-quality industrial resources from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces, covering key links such as core components, technology R&D, and scenario applications; Concurrently, the Yangtze River Delta Low Altitude Economy Collaborative Innovation and Development Forum and the East China Low Altitude Economy Innovation and Development Summit Forum will be held to promote cross-regional industrial division of labor, resource sharing, and joint standards construction, and to build a regional industrial development community.

With Shanghai as the core hub city, it continuously absorbs high-quality global industrial resources.At this year’s expo, internationally renowned enterprises gathered to participate, with domestic and international industry entities competing and deeply cooperating on the same stage, helping Shanghai accelerate its development into a world-class low-altitude economy industrial hub. Leveraging the 2026 APEC “Year of China” opportunity, the APEC Sustainable Technology Innovation Strategy Development Seminar will be held during the extended period, bringing together industry leaders, technical experts, and professional buyers from more than 20 APEC member economies to conduct cross-border policy exchanges, technical seminars, and economic and trade cooperation, promoting China’s low-altitude industry to deeply integrate into the global innovation and value chains. As a supporting part of the seminar, the “2026 Asia-Pacific Low-Altitude Economy Innovation Pioneer Case Collection Event” will also include a launch ceremony, awarding certificates to selected cases and review experts, which will be officially included in the seminar’s official report to share China’s practical experience in low-altitude economy development with Asia-Pacific economies; During the exhibition, a themed exhibition area titled “Soaring Asia-Pacific: A New Era of Low-Altitude Economy” will be set up, featuring a concentrated display of some shortlisted cases.

In addition, this expo has established a comprehensive industrial service ecosystem, forming a coordinated development pattern across all elements.In terms of financial services, financial institutions such as Bank of China, Bank of Nanjing, and Bank of Communications participated in a concentrated exhibition, supported by the Northeast Securities Low-altitude Economic Financial Forum, focusing on in-depth discussions on industrial investment and financing innovation and the integration of industry and finance, injecting capital momentum into the development of the low-altitude economy; In terms of legal services, in collaboration with professional institutions such as the Shanghai International Arbitration Center and East China University of Political Science and Law, the International Low-Altitude Economy Legal Forum was held, gathering consensus on core topics such as airspace management, compliant operations, and intellectual property protection, thereby strengthening legal guarantees for the healthy and orderly development of the industry; In terms of industry-university-research collaboration, research institutes such as Beihang University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Education Group Low-altitude Economy Research Center, and East China Normal University Greater Hongqiao Low-Altitude Economy Research Institute are deeply involved, opening up a full-chain channel for technology R&D, achievement transformation, and industrial implementation, and strengthening the intellectual foundation for industry innovation.

This expo is not only a low-altitude “industrial show” but also takes serving people’s well-being as the starting point and goal of promoting the development of the low-altitude economy. Adhering to a livelihood-oriented approach, it breaks down professional barriers in industrial exhibitions, pushes the low-altitude economy from an industrial concept into everyday life, transforms development achievements into tangible value for the public, and fulfills the original intention of the low-altitude economy to serve people’s livelihoods.

Enrich application scenarios that are close to people’s livelihoods, and tap into the social value of the low-altitude economy.eVTOL urban air mobility scenarios concentrate on presenting new future commuting methods, making three-dimensional mobility more tangible and concrete; In low-altitude logistics scenarios, China Post Express Logistics, Fengyi Technology, and others showcased last-mile delivery solutions, demonstrating the progress of drone logistics implementation.

“Thousands of Aircraft Showcases · Top 100 Low-Altitude Application Flight Shows” creates a low-altitude feast for everyone to participate in.As a major supporting exhibition for the public at this expo, the “Thousand Aircraft Exhibition · Top 100 Low Altitude Application Flight Shows” will be held in Shanghai. The event gathered nearly a hundred industry-grade aircraft and thousands of drone formations, presenting real-life scenarios such as emergency response, aerial firefighting, and intercity transportation, while simultaneously staging Chinese-style technology performances and themed drone light shows, offering citizens an immersive low-altitude technology audio-visual experience.

Science education and employment services run hand in hand, unlocking long-term inclusive value.This year’s expo hosted the “Low-Altitude Empowerment · Embodied Intelligence — Youth Intelligent Disaster Relief Innovation Exhibition,” using the competition format to spark young people’s interest in low-altitude technology; During the exhibition, a drone flight carnival will be set up on-site, featuring interactive experiences such as drone aerial soccer, flight simulation, and fun challenge challenges, suitable for parent-child experiences and aviation science popularization for all ages, lowering the barrier to industry awareness. The organizers, in partnership with Liepin, are creating the 2026 International Low Altitude Economy Expo Talent Recruitment Fair, bringing together high-quality positions across the entire industry chain, opening precise channels for enterprise talent recruitment and job seeking, and allowing the public to share in the employment dividends of low-altitude economy development.

As the annual benchmark event for China’s low-altitude economy in 2026, this expo solidifies the industrial foundation through full industry chain display, activates development momentum through the Yangtze River Delta ecosystem aggregation, and expands industrial boundaries through inclusive sharing for all. It serves as both a centralized review venue for industry achievements and a core booster for industrial collaborative upgrading. This expo will continue to help Shanghai build a world-class low-altitude economy industry ecosystem, promote high-quality development of China’s low-altitude economy above the safety bottom line, and accelerate its growth into an emerging pillar industry supporting the national economy.

Exhibition Name: 2026 International Low Altitude Economy Expo

Exhibition Dates: July 22-25, 2026

Exhibition Hours:9:00-18:00(Entry closes from 14:00 on July 25)

Exhibition venue: National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), Hall 3, Hall 4.1

Exhibition official account: For more exhibition arrangements, please follow the official account[Low-altitude Expo]

Take Metro Line 2To the National Exhibition and Convention Center Station, take Exit 4 or 5 and walk to the West Entrance.

Social vehiclesNavigate to the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Gate 10) and park in the North Plaza parking area.

Source: Low-altitude Expo