Chengdu leads China’s first pilot using meteorology to boost low-altitude economy

Chengdu’s low-altitude meteorological governance system has become increasingly refined and institutionalized.

On December 6, 2024, Chengdu, Sichuan became the first city in China to officially launch a pilot programme dedicated to promoting high-quality development of the low-altitude economy through meteorological innovation. One year later, the city has transformed meteorological capabilities into a strategic engine for urban digitalization, aviation services, and new economic growth.

Through a systematic approach of “establishing mechanisms, strengthening foundations, building platforms, and optimizing scenarios,” Chengdu’s meteorological department has delivered a series of groundbreaking innovations that are reshaping how low-altitude operations function across the region.

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Building a Strong Governance and Policy Framework

Chengdu’s low-altitude meteorological governance system has become increasingly refined and institutionalized.

The Municipal Meteorological Department has:

• Built a new governance model aligned with the rapid rise of low-altitude economic activities.

• Defined meteorology’s evolving role in top-level design, especially in aviation, UAV operations, and emergency response.

• Participated in drafting 12 key policy documents, establishing meteorological responsibilities in airspace safety, forecasting, emergency management, and aviation services.

This proactive policymaking ensures that meteorology is integrated into the foundation of China’s emerging low-altitude economy.

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Advancing 3D Monitoring and Precision Forecasting

To support safe and efficient low-altitude operations, Chengdu has significantly enhanced its meteorological monitoring capabilities.

Key achievements include:

• Integrating meteorological facility planning into the city’s Low-Altitude Flight Infrastructure Plan.

• Developing the Chengdu Low-Altitude Meteorological Monitoring Infrastructure Plan, tailored to multi-level airspace needs.

• Improving 3D observation networks to support aircraft, UAVs, and other low-altitude flight systems.

These advancements ensure that meteorological conditions—wind speed, turbulence, visibility, temperature, and air density—are accurately measured and forecasted, providing critical safety data for pilots and flight operators.

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Platform Innovation and Collaborative Research

Meteorology-driven platform development has accelerated rapidly.

Through the Chengdu Low-Altitude Meteorology Laboratory, the Department has:

• Tackled core technical challenges in 8 major research fields.

• Collaborated with 21 institutions to conduct experiments across 8 specialized testing scenarios.

• Supported the creation of a provincial-level low-altitude meteorological innovation team.

Meanwhile, the Chengdu Intelligent Meteorological Service Integration Platform has officially gone online. It integrates:

• Real-time 3D observation

• Forecast models

• Microclimate indicators

• Meteorological impact assessments

The platform supports dual applications:

1. Direct integration into the low-altitude traffic management system, delivering real-time weather services for air traffic operations.

2. Customised services through the “Chengdu Meteorology” mobile app, which has already served over 62,200 flight operations, benefiting pilots, logistics companies, and UAV service providers.

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Scenario-Based Applications Across the City

Chengdu’s meteorological departments have prioritized real-world deployment, installing:

• 39 laser wind radars

• 35 urban canopy observation stations

• 100 micro-meteorological stations

These instruments support six major demonstration scenarios, enabling 15 types of low-altitude meteorological products integrated into the city’s digital traffic management system.

Chengdu has developed five flagship application scenarios:

1. UAV medical supply delivery — Longquanyi District

2. “Sky Eye” UAV training base — Pengzhou, supporting inspection and logistics

3. Comprehensive low-altitude services — Jintang Huaizhou General Aviation Airport

4. Low-altitude applications supporting agriculture and tourism — Chongzhou Haoyun Airport and Tianfu Granary Demonstration Zone

5. UAV-based community governance inspections — Luxu, Tianfu New Area

During the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, UAV-based meteorological monitoring ensured safe execution of fireworks displays and aerial performances.

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Global Perspectives and International Recognition

In October 2025, Chengdu hosted international officials and experts attending the Seminar on Standardization of Enhancing Adaptability to Climate Change for Developing Countries.

They praised China’s achievements in:

• Advanced meteorological science

• Enhanced disaster preparedness

• Real-time monitoring and forecasting capabilities

• People-centred meteorological service delivery

Experts highlighted Chengdu as a model for how meteorology can enhance safety, support climate adaptation, and empower next-generation aviation industries—especially in an era of increasing extreme weather events.

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Chengdu’s pioneering work shows how meteorological intelligence can become a cornerstone of the low-altitude economy—supporting UAV logistics, smart transportation, rural revitalization, emergency response, and new digital industries. The pilot programme is now viewed as a national blueprint for future low-altitude economic development across China.