Work

Public air routes for low-altitude economies: Priority infrastructure beneficially associated with ground roads

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The emerging low-altitude economy (LAE) hinges on effectively managing high-density aerial traffic flows. Establishing a system of low-altitude public air routes offers a feasible solution to handle this congestion. In this context, these routes are conceptualized as foundational “sky–road” infrastructure, and it is proposed that they be treated as fixed assets endowed with tradable or transferable property rights. Previous analysis suggests that building a public low-altitude air-route network can generate significant socioeconomic benefits, potentially beyond those of conventional ground transportation. Although “building sky roads” poses technological and regulatory challenges, extending the principles of terrestrial road networks into low-altitude airspace allows existing planning standards and governance mechanisms to be largely adapted to this new domain. This approach can transform many of these challenges into opportunities, laying the groundwork for a robust LAE in the future.

Source: Communications in Transportation Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.commtr.2025.100228

Authors: Chenchen Xu, Zongru Li, Hongbo He, Anqi Tang, Xiaohan Liao

Institutions: Civil Aviation Administration of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Air Traffic Management and Optimization

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,250