Hong Kong aims to launch passenger-carrying drones in 2 to 3 years Hong Kong plans to deploy large passenger-carrying drones within the next two to three years as part of its drive to become a regional hub for the low-altitude economy, a senior official has said, predicting the aircraft will be significantly cheaper than current helicopter services. Dominic Chow Wing-hang, deputy director general of civil aviation, outlined the road map on Saturday at a conference in Beijing, which focused on how Hong Kong and Macau could leverage their advantages to benefit the Belt and Road Initiative. His remarks followed the launch of a sandbox pilot programme by a working group on developing the low-altitude economy in Hong Kong earlier this month. A sandbox is a space where software or new technology can be tried out in a pilot scheme or test environment. Following the 2024 policy address, the working group launched the “Regulatory Sandbox X” to test “unconventional aircraft” weighing more than 150kg (330lbs) and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), with the goal of validating safety standards for future connectivity with mainland Chinese cities. The sandbox aims to enable industry stakeholders to test and conduct trials on some project concepts within predefined air routes and in a controlled and safe manner, according to the Transport and Logistics Bureau’s website. Chow spoke about how Hong Kong could help aviation technology exchanges with the mainland and the rest of the world. “In the future, in two to three years, [two-tonne class non-conventional aircraft], including those which have the capacity of carrying people, could be put on trial,” he said. “According to current estimates, costs are much lower than current helicopter services, estimated at just a fraction.” He said eVTOLs had significantly lower operating costs compared with helicopters of similar safety levels, primarily because of more efficient energy use and drastically simpler maintenance requirements. Chow said that currently, the range of such aircraft was about 250km (155 miles), but the next generation could reach 1,000km, allowing flights “beyond the Greater Bay Area”. At present, privately operated helicopters in the city mostly serve tourists with flights around Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island, Geopark and other custom routes. Prices range between HK$2,300 (US$295) per passenger to more than HK$17,000 per charter. Hong Kong also aims to export its regulatory expertise. By taking part in International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) panels and hosting regional seminars, the city is helping to formulate global standards for advanced air mobility operations. The department earlier unveiled the scope of the new sandbox, which would specifically test “unconventional aircraft” and advanced unmanned aircraft traffic management systems to support complex multi-user operations. This initiative aligns Hong Kong’s aviation development with the nation’s latest five-year plan, accelerating the adoption of low-altitude technologies and new materials to set regional benchmarks for the emerging sector. “We are promoting not only cross-boundary flights, but also the required coordination between both sides for standard-setting and technological innovation,” Chow added. Chow noted that leading companies from the Greater Bay Area, eastern mainland and elsewhere had already been invited to explore opportunities in Hong Kong – including setting up headquarters, securing financing and developing application scenarios. In a reply to the Post, the Transport and Logistics Bureau said applications for cross-boundary trials would remain open until late January. However, it cautioned that the actual launch depended on agreements with mainland authorities regarding customs, immigration and quarantine procedures. “The actual implementation time frame and mode of trials for cross-boundary applications depends on various factors,” a bureau spokesman said. “[We] will expand low-altitude economy application scenarios in an orderly manner while strictly controlling risks and ensuring safety.” Regulators are also reviewing legal requirements for the design and location of “vertiports” to support the advanced aircraft, as the ICAO has yet to decide on global standards. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3336372/hong-kong-aims-launch-passenger-carrying-drones-2-3-years (ICE HONG KONG)

Fonte notizia: South China Morning Post