The 2026 International Low-Altitude Economy Expo will open from July 22-25 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), Halls 3 and 4.1. Co-organized by NEC Shanghai, Donghao Lansheng Group, and Shanghai International Exhibition Group, with three national industry associations as special partners, the expo covers 60,000 square meters with 400+ domestic and international exhibitors and 80+ high-end forums. Admission is free.
2026 marks a milestone year for China's low-altitude economy. The sector has been formally included in the 15th Five-Year Plan, the revised Civil Aviation Law took effect on July 1, and the CAAC Low-Altitude Safety Department was officially established. NDRC data projects the market will exceed 1 trillion yuan in 2026 and reach 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035, with a compound growth rate exceeding 13% over the next decade.
The expo covers the full industry chain from complete aircraft manufacturing to core components, infrastructure security, and industrial services. Key exhibits include Guan Tong GA20 general aviation aircraft and GAX large unmanned cargo drone, eVTOL platforms, forest firefighting systems, flying life rings, and hydrogen power banks.
Core supporting sectors achieve full coverage: energy and power display battery and hydrogen technologies; avionics feature flight control, sensing, and communication systems; advanced materials showcase carbon fiber structures and lightweight forming technologies.
Low-altitude infrastructure and security systems are also highlighted: China Telecom and China Unicom present smart low-altitude networks and digital airspace management; BeiDou high-precision positioning and surveillance radar enable precise control; counter-drone equipment strengthens security.
The Yangtze River Delta region demonstrates deep industrial integration, with Changning, Minhang, Jinshan, and Qingpu as Shanghai's four key low-altitude economic zones exhibiting together. Shanghai hosts over half of China's eVTOL innovation leaders and is the only city with capabilities across all three mainstream technology routes. The Hongqiao International Low-Altitude Economy Industrial Park is expanding to Phase 2.