Helicopter services taking off in China

A helicopter flies along the low-altitude flight route linking Shenzhen's downtown area and Guangzhou Haixinsha Park to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, at the end of October. (CHINA DAILY)

A few years ago, I had a chance to take a short helicopter trip for sightseeing above the ancient city of Datong in North China's Shanxi province, and I enjoyed looking down on the beautiful night views of the city that I was unable to have by standing on the ground.

Low-altitude tourism, as an emerging industry, is attracting more tourists to take some unique experiences, with the rapid growth of the low-altitude economy in the country.

Now, tourists are able to take helicopter trips at the Great Wall in Mutianyu, thanks to a new service that was recently launched. The Robinson R44 helicopter takes off from an airport near the scenic spot, and flies for a 10- or 15-minute trip before returning to land. Each helicopter can carry three passengers and a pilot, according to the operator.

"Chinese consumers have been paying more attention to the experience of trips. In the past few years, low-altitude tourism has become the new favorite of travelers with its unique perspective and stimulating feeling," said Fu Yang, an official at China General Aviation, a State-owned enterprise in Hainan province.

The company currently operates a helicopter sightseeing trip from the Atlantis Sanya Hotel on Hainan island, and the trip has become popular with travelers.

Besides low-altitude tourism, air taxi services between neighboring cities have also been launched in China and the business is growing.

China's first cross-provincial designated low-altitude passenger transport route was launched in August, connecting Shanghai Pudong International Airport with the Kunshan City Terminal. The trip reduces a land journey of around 70 minutes to a flight time of just 28 minutes.

In the initial stage of operation, a fixed round-trip route will be operated twice a day during the morning and evening peak hours, with a one-way flight priced at 1,600 yuan ($221) per person or 1,800 yuan per person.

Operated by Shanghai Newsky Helicopter Co, the air taxi service includes "one-on-one" service after landing, with the whole process, including airport ground transportation, taking approximately an hour.

Shanghai is working to develop its low-altitude sector with the city aiming to establish itself as one of the first batches of low-altitude inter-provincial navigable cities in China. It is also accelerating the research on air taxi transportation in the Yangtze River Delta region.

By 2027, Shanghai aims to establish a complete industrial system that includes the research and development, manufacturing, final assembly, airworthiness testing and commercial application of low-altitude aircraft. Sales of the core industries are expected to exceed 50 billion yuan, according to local government's plan.

China's low-altitude economy has entered a period with frequent introductions of favorable policies, and the development of the industry is expected to accelerate. This will significantly enhance the country's core competitiveness in the sector and China is foreseen to take the lead in forming a comprehensive low-altitude development system, said a research report of CITIC Securities.