App scenarios of low-altitude economy
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If you prefer to follow along in Chinese, we've got you covered—our podcast is available in both English and Chinese.So, without further ado, let's dive into today's newsletters.1.National Development and Reform Commission: Categorically and orderly expand the application scenarios of low-altitude economy, and severely crack down on all kinds of "illegal flying" behaviors May 20, 2025On May 20, 2025, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) stated at a press conference that it will categorically and orderly expand the application scenarios of the low-altitude economy and severely crack down on "illegal flying" behaviors. Li Chao, Deputy Director of the Policy Research Office of the NDRC, pointed out that safety is the primary prerequisite for the development of the low-altitude economy. The NDRC will follow the principles of "cargo first, then passengers; isolation first, then integration; remote areas first, then urban centers" to steadily promote the development of low-altitude tourism, aerial sports, consumer drones, and other low-altitude consumption activities on the premise of ensuring safety.At the same time, the NDRC will strengthen safety governance, Strengthen the accountability of all parties and standardize the organization of pilot projects, and severely crack down on "illegal flying" behaviors such as unlicensed pilots, low-altitude aircraft without airworthiness certification, and unapproved flight activities. This will help promote the rational layout of the industry and orderly expansion of application scenarios. In response to the low-altitude tourism accidents in some places during the May Day holiday, the NDRC is working with local governments and relevant departments to identify and rectify safety hazards. It will also continue to deepen the reform of the low-altitude flight safety supervision system, strengthen industry access and process supervision, and promote the safe and healthy development of the low-altitude economy.https://www.chinanews.com/cj/2025/05-20/10418658.shtml2.Climbing Fast Bizav(Business Aviation )Advocacy Initiative Goes GlobalA new international section of the website will feature content from national associationsBy CHARLES ALCOCK • Managing EditorMay 19, 2025The Climbing Fast advocacy campaign launched in 2023 by U.S.-based NBAA is expanding its reach with the launch this week of an international website that will include content posted by business aviation groups in multiple countries. The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) announced the initiative on the eve of EBACE 2025, and the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) has signed up to host one of the platform’s national “rooms.”According to IBAC director general Kurt Edwards, Climbing Fast was always intended to be a global initiative. “We’re all facing the same issues and now we’re able to put more of an international window on it to connect with industry and governments worldwide,” he told AIN. “The international page will draw on resources from the national groups, addressing sustainability in economic, societal, and environmental terms.”BBGA’s “room” on the site will now incorporate its ongoing “Did You Know?” advocacy campaign, which has been highlighting myriad contributions made by business aviation companies, mainly through social media posts. “We have focused a lot on our environmental sustainability and humanitarian roles, and now we have somewhere we can put all these stories in one place and signposting them for both the public, regulators, and the industry itself,” explained Lindsey Oliver, the UK group’s managing director.Business Aviation Makes a DifferenceSo far, the BBGA campaign has been able to highlight examples of UK business aviation humanitarian and disaster relief roles in countries as far afield as Brazil and Chile. It has also highlighted the findings of the report published in January by Oxford Economics, which warned that government restrictions on the industry could cost Europe up to around €120 billion ($134 billion) in foreign direct investment and 104,000 jobs. The research was commissioned by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and EBAA.According to IBAC, the international platform will help national associations in the conversations they have with policymakers, customers, and even protestors. “It is very timely because we have the ICAO general assembly coming up at the end of September,” Edwards commented.The newly added international section of the Climbing Fast platform will feature graphics representing the various national associations providing content. Additionally, the various groups will be able to share content and information.According to Edwards, business aviation groups are seeing some shifts in the lobbying environment. In Europe, for instance, whereas 18 months ago the conversation was dominated by hostility to the industry over environmental impacts, there now seems to be somewhat more of a priority being given to the continent’s weak economies and ongoing cost-of-living issues. He hopes this could lead to a more open-minded recognition that environmental objectives are not at odds with financial imperatives.This week at EBACE 2025, BBGA, IBAC, and other groups are exhibiting as part of the Association Village. In addition to NBAA, IBAC, GAMA, BBGA, and EBAA, Climbing Fast is also backed by the following groups: Canadian Business Aviation Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Aircraft Electronics Association, International Aircraft Dealers Association, National Air Transport Association, Vertical Aviation International, and Women in Corporate Aviation.https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-05-15/climbing-fast-bizav-advocacy-initiative-goes-global3.Affinity Aviation Group Marks 10 Years with New OfficeCompany has steered acquisition and delivery of 63 aircraftBy KERRY LYNCH • Editor, AIN monthly magazineMay 19, 2025UK-based Affinity Aviation Group (AAG) opened a dedicated office at Farnborough Airport as the business aviation acquisition, sales, charter, and advisory services provider celebrated its 10th anniversary. Also coinciding with AAG’s 10th anniversary, the company is steering the imminent delivery of a Bombardier Global 6500 to a European client, one of four preowned transactions it has in progress.Former ExecuJet head of sales Andrew Hoy established AAG in 2015 with a fixed commission fee model of 1% to 3% and tailored services for aircraft buyers and sellers. Since then, the company has expanded into advisory services, pre-buy inspections, and VIP charter through its FlyAffinity membership program.Over the past decade, AAG managed the acquisition and delivery of 63 aircraft, managing acquisitions, sales, and deliveries of business jets, turboprops, and helicopters. It has overseen the delivery of five new Bombardier jets, as well as other entry-into-services including for Gulfstream customers.Launched in 2022, the FlyAffinity program now has 28 members and a 100% retention rate with clients from Formula 1, football, entertainment, and UHNW family offices. In the pre-buy inspection arena, AAG has completed 17 inspections and managed three aircraft refurbishment projects.AAG is continuing to grow with the opening this month of a dedicated facility inside Hangar One at Farnborough Airport.AAG’s Hoy has remained active in the business aviation community, working through the British Business & General Aviation Association to elevate the G-registry. A pilot with more than 7,000 hours TT in Bombardier Globals, he recently commanded a record-breaking flight on a Global 7500 from Taipei to London in 16 hours 29 minutes.https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-05-18/affinity-aviation-group-marks-10-years-new-office4.NoamAI Launches Artificial Intelligence ATC AssistantPredictive engine designed to support tower situational awarenessBy AMY WILDER • WriterMay 16, 2025Artificial intelligence startup NoamAI has introduced a patent-pending air traffic control support system designed to assist tower personnel with real-time predictive modeling, voice parsing, and surface surveillance integration.Unveiled May 13 at Airspace World 2025 in Geneva, the NoamAI Air Traffic Controller system uses machine learning to process thousands of data points per second, including aircraft position, radar feeds, and controller communications, to help reduce response times and enhance situational awareness.“Air traffic control is one of the most complex, high-stakes environments millions rely on daily,” said NoamAI CEO and co-founder Luke Gotszling. “Our AI platform acts as a co-pilot in the tower—boosting coordination, awareness, and responsiveness when it matters most.”The system is not intended to replace human operators but to augment their capabilities, particularly in high-traffic or constrained environments. Former airline executive and aviation analyst Robert Mann said the overlay “parses and articulates standardized format voice and data clearances, surface surveillance, and aircraft position tracking,” with the goal of making tower operations more intelligible and efficient.Key system features include predictive conflict detection, radar and transponder integration, and compatibility with future urban air mobility systems such as eVTOLs and drones. NoamAI said it intends to work with regulators on certification of the system.The company focuses on AI-based aviation infrastructure tools and aims to improve efficiency and resilience in global air traffic operations.NoamAI Debuts AI-powered Air Traffic Control System at Airspace World 2025 | Aviation International News5.Archer Named ‘Official Air Taxi Provider’ for 2028 Olympics in Los AngelesTeam USA and LA28 organizers sign exclusive deal with Archer AviationBy HANNEKE WEITERING • Science & Technology EditorMay 15, 2025Archer Aviation has been designated the official air taxi provider for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA, the company announced on May 15.This means athletes, VIPs, and some visitors will have the opportunity to fly on Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft to travel to and from key venues, including SoFi Stadium and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. According to Archer, the Midnight aircraft could potentially also support security and emergency services during the event.“Our vision is to fundamentally reimagine the Olympic and Paralympic Games experience, and this partnership represents an incredible opportunity to deliver something unprecedented, showcasing the very best of what Los Angeles has to offer on the world stage,” said LA28 chairperson and president Casey Wasserman.Midnight is a piloted, fully electric aircraft designed to carry up to four passengers on trips of 20 to 50 miles. Archer plans to launch eVTOL air taxi networks across the U.S. and internationally, focusing initially on routes connecting airports with city centers. Archer revealed its proposed New York City eVTOL network in April.San Jose, California-based Archer has been planning a Los Angeles-based eVTOL air taxi network since 2021, when it entered into a partnership with the city’s transportation department and Urban Movement Labs, which merged with the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator in 2024.In August 2024, Archer revealed its proposed locations for vertiports in the Greater Los Angeles area where the Midnight aircraft will be able to take off, land, and recharge. In addition to SoFi Stadium and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Archer’s proposed Los Angeles eVTOL network includes vertiports at Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX), Hollywood Burbank, Orange County, and Santa Monica.If all goes according to Archer’s plans, the Midnight aircraft will be certified and in service well before the 2027 NFL Super Bowl, which is also being held in Los Angeles. The company had been targeting service entry by the end of 2025, but it appears increasingly unlikely that the FAA will certify any eVTOL aircraft this year following layoffs at the agency’s certification office implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency.Archer is not the first eVTOL company to plan commercial air taxi flights at the Olympic Games. German eVTOL developer Volocopter intended to fly passengers at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Unable to secure the necessary approvals, Volocopter settled for a single demonstration flight without passengers on the last day of the event. The following month, officials in Australia announced they were getting a head start on plans to offer eVTOL air taxi services at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.Archer Named ‘Official Air Taxi Provider’ for 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles | Aviation International NewsThat’s all for this episode of Aviation Newsletter. Thank you for listening. Podcast by: Luna.Sound Edited by: JovieAviation Newsletter is brought to you by the Starrime team.You can catch our podcast on all major podcast platforms. We also look forward to seeing your comments. See you soon.
