Low-altitude economy: New growth opportunities for LED lighting enterprises!

The "2023 China Lighting Industry Report" released by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that since 2019, the market size of China's aviation aid lighting luminaires has grown from 45 billion yuan to 76 billion yuan, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%, and it is expected to break the trillion-yuan mark in 2024. Industry insiders stated that, with the rapid development of the low-altitude economy, the aviation aid lighting market has ushered in new growth opportunities, and domestic LED lighting enterprises will benefit significantly.

Low-altitude economy boosts expansion of the aviation aid lighting market

Experts pointed out that in low-altitude infrastructure construction, special lighting facilities such as visual aids are expected to account for about 15% of the total investment. The report from China Investment Industry Research Institute predicts that by 2030, the market size of domestic low-altitude infrastructure construction will reach 504.5 billion yuan. Therefore, the corresponding new market capacity for low-altitude special lighting will exceed 70 billion yuan.

It is reported that the market for special aviation aid lighting has a wide range of application scenarios, including the construction of runway-type general aviation airport networks, helicopter landing sites, urban vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) site layouts, temporary landing sites for enterprises and individuals, clearance lighting for high-rise buildings and transmission towers, and emergency aviation lighting for remote factories and mines. Special airport lighting is a key facility ensuring the safe and efficient operation of airport airside areas and related zones under various complex environments and time periods. It covers multiple aspects such as runway aid lighting systems, taxiway lighting systems, apron lighting, and approach lighting systems, with extremely high requirements for product safety, reliability, and standard compliance.

Data from the National Airspace Management Center shows that by the end of 2023, China had 449 registered general aviation airports, while the United States had over 20,000, indicating that the number of general aviation airports in China is far from meeting development needs. In the future, China will increase investment in the construction of general aviation airports, plan ahead, and gradually build a network of general aviation airports to meet the needs of low-altitude economy development. The construction of related infrastructure is expected to bring huge market space.

Lighting companies usher in new growth opportunities

With the development of the low-altitude economy, the aviation aid lighting market will usher in new growth opportunities. In the field of aviation aid lighting, the advantages of LED technology are more significant; its high luminance and stability can ensure clear and uniform lighting for aviation infrastructure such as general aviation airports, helicopters, and drones under extreme weather and complex flight conditions, thereby effectively enhancing flight safety. At the same time, the long lifespan and low maintenance costs of LEDs also significantly reduce the operational burden on airlines. Industry analysts point out that domestic LED lighting companies should seize this historical opportunity, increase R&D investment, improve product quality and reliability, meet the growing market demand, and make positive contributions to the development of China's low-altitude economy.

Currently, the major suppliers in the global airport lighting industry include ADB Airfield Solutions (Safegate), Honeywell, Vosla, Eaton, OSRAM, etc., with the top five manufacturers holding more than 60% of the market share.North America dominates the global market, accounting for about 39% of the market share.However, as emerging markets like China become important forces in the aviation infrastructure market, Chinese companies are expected to challenge traditional players and enter the first tier of leading enterprises.

Recently, MLS Co., Ltd., a leading domestic LED enterprise, announced the establishment of its Aviation Lighting Division, marking another significant step in the company's journey within the lighting sector. This move aims to introduce the company's accumulated advantages in LED lighting technology into the aviation field, supporting the development of the low-altitude economy.

MLS Co., Ltd. stated that in the field of aviation lighting, LED technology offers significant advantages. Its high luminance and stability ensure clear and uniform illumination for aviation infrastructure such as general aviation airports, helicopters, and drones under extreme weather and complex flight conditions, thereby effectively enhancing flight safety. Meanwhile, the long lifespan and low maintenance costs of LEDs significantly reduce the operational burden on airlines, making a positive contribution to the sustainable development of the aviation industry.

As an enterprise focused on the research, development, and production of LED lighting products, MLS Co., Ltd. has cultivated deep expertise in the field of LED full-spectrum lighting for many years, accumulating rich technical advantages and application experience. With the rapid development of the global aviation industry, the demand for efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly lighting solutions is becoming increasingly urgent. To adapt to the development trends of new LED applications, the company, after in-depth research, decided to jointly establish the Aviation Lighting Division by combining its lighting brand business and LED intelligent manufacturing teams, focusing on the R&D and production of various products applied to low-altitude aircraft lighting and ground guidance lighting.

The company stated that the establishment of the Aviation Lighting Division is both the result of its profound insight into industry development trends and a reflection of its persistent pursuit of technological innovation. The division will uphold the development philosophy of "innovation, efficiency, and environmental protection," continuously promoting the application and upgrading of LED lighting technology in the aviation field, injecting new vitality into the development of aviation lighting.