HK to launch technical study on smart low-altitude traffic management system this year

Hong Kong will begin technical research on a smart low-altitude traffic management system within this year as part of its push to develop the city's low-altitude economy, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said during a LegCo discussion on building a fully digitalized airspace management system.

Addressing lawmakers, Chan emphasized that Hong Kong's dense high-rise buildings and varied terrain present unique challenges for low-altitude operations.

Establishing digital low-altitude infrastructure is crucial for ensuring the safe, efficient, and sustainable development of the low-altitude economy, she added.

Chan said the government will formulate the conceptual design and technical specifications for the smart low-altitude traffic management system based on experience gained from the sandbox pilot scheme.

She also noted that the upcoming technical study will examine advanced cases from mainland China and international jurisdictions to ensure the system's technical parameters align with regional and global regulatory standards.

(Nathan Leung and Marco Lam)