bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

paywallTypes

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Danny Mok

Hong Kong authorities plan to amend laws to allow passenger drone flights as part of the next phase of trials to develop the low-altitude economy, which will take a step forward next month with tests of food deliveries by air.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan unveiled more details about the second phase of testing on Sunday, including an expanded operating range.
The government earlier announced it would carry out more than 30 trial projects involving drones over the next six months as part of the first round of tests.
The trials will focus on food delivery, document transport and medical supply logistics, primarily in areas such as the Science Park and Cyberport.
On Sunday, Chan said phase two was set to expand the operating range to include areas surrounding the park and test drones capable of carrying people.
“But of course, the law does not yet permit this, and since we prioritise safety, passenger transport might not happen at such an early stage,” Chan said in a televised interview.
While certain models in the initial phase had the capacity to transport passengers, legal amendments would be required to allow manned drone flights, she said.
The government was considering revising existing aviation laws or potentially drafting specialised regulations to accommodate super-large drones capable of carrying passengers, she added.
Chan also addressed the feasibility of establishing cross-border or Victoria Harbour flight routes, noting potential challenges such as customs clearance and maritime traffic, but she expressed an openness to the idea, provided the drones were operating in safe conditions.
Meanwhile, the Fire Services Department is also advancing drone technology for emergency rescue.
The department will test large drones capable of transporting up to 30kg of rescue equipment, including stretchers, in Ma On Shan.
The technology was expected to significantly reduce rescue time, with a drone able to cover 5km (three miles) in just 10 minutes – one-sixth the time of traditional methods.
“Our teams typically hike 5km in an hour carrying heavy equipment,” said Assistant Divisional Officer Wong Tak-fai. “With drones, the same distance takes only 10 minutes, greatly improving operational efficiency and reducing rescue time.”


Hong Kong to change laws to allow for passenger drone flights

Hong Kong seeks developers for joint cross-border railway project to Shenzhen

How Hong Kong can dig itself out of recurring deficits

Hong Kong tech start-ups eyeing US should ‘talk less’ about AI: Science Park CEO

Hong Kong economy

A pilotless passenger-carrying drone is displayed in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong drone tests for low-altitude economy to follow line-of-sight rule

Hong Kong has sets its sights on developing a low-altitude economy. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong’s Cyberport is one of the designated testing spaces for the drone-based trial. Photo: Jelly Tse

Food deliveries by drone to take flight in Hong Kong as early as April

A drone designed to deliver packages is on display at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Photo: Sam Tsang

Businesses involved in pilot drone projects will soon be able to offer their services. Photo: Sam Tsang

News

Hong Kong

Society

Hong Kong Economy

Transport minister Mable Chan also addresses possibility of cross-border or Victoria Harbour routes


Transport minister Mable Chan also addresses possibility of cross-border or Victoria Harbour routes.


Low-altitude economy

Hong Kong to change laws to allow for passenger drone flights

Transport minister Mable Chan also addresses possibility of cross-border or Victoria Harbour routes

nproxy.org