Shenzhen offers up to 15M yuan in one-off reward for manned eVTOLs

Shenzhen will roll out a low-altitude aviation subsidy package that includes a one-off reward of up to 15 million yuan (US$2.11 million) for manned eVTOLs, under measures valid from Oct. 9 through Dec. 31, 2026.

Visitors learn about an eVTOL on display at the eVTOL World Expo 2025 held in Pingshan District this September. Photo from the event organizer

The city has defined four categories of low-altitude support projects with specific eligibility rules and payment standards. 

Companies that obtain Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) type certificates and production licenses for eVTOLs, or unmanned aircraft, and operate in Shenzhen are eligible for grants. Manned eVTOL aircraft qualify for a one-time reward of up to 15 million yuan; large unmanned aircraft are eligible for 5 million yuan; and medium unmanned aircraft for 3 million yuan.

In addition, Shenzhen will pay differentiated, aircraft-type-based bonuses that reward both the launche of new routes and overall flight activity. For small unmanned aircraft, each newly opened route that records at least 5,000 annual flights earns a one-time 200,000 yuan reward. Firms that reach 20,000 total flights in the first year receive 400,000 yuan, with an additional 400,000 yuan awarded for each further 20,000 flights. For medium and large unmanned aircraft, each new route with at least 1,000 annual flights earns 350,000 yuan. A first-year total of 20,000 flights earns 800,000 yuan, with an extra 800,000 yuan for each additional 20,000 flights.

Operators of routes that are approved by relevant authority, have at least one endpoint in Shenzhen, and are ticketed to the public can qualify for route subsidies. The city offers one-time 300,000 yuan per route that covers at least 25 km one-way and reach 100 total flights in their first year. An additional 300,000 yuan will be awarded for each extra 100 flights. Shenzhen–Hong Kong cross-border routes that operate regularly with takeoff/landing at Shenzhen and Hong Kong can receive a one-time 1,000,000 yuan per route. Annual totals of 100 flights earn 500,000 yuan, with 500,000 yuan added for each additional 100 flights. For both route types, the annual subsidy is capped at 6 million yuan per company.

Shenzhen will also subsidize national civil aviation key laboratories established in the city and recognized by the national authority. Approved labs, including those run by companies, universities or research institutes, may receive a grant equal to 30% of audited total investment, capped at 10 million yuan.