Helicopter Travel Soars in China, Boosting Low-Altitude Economy During Spring Festival
- tech360.tv
- 22 hours ago
- 2 min read
On-demand helicopter services gained significant momentum during the Chinese New Year, offering fast travel and new routes across various cities. This surge in demand has given a substantial boost to the country's low-altitude economy.
Bookings for these services increased nearly 1.5 times compared with normal levels during the hectic holiday period. Manager Li Xin of Shanghai Xinkong Helicopter highlighted this rise in demand.
Shanghai Xinkong Helicopter launched a new route connecting Shanghai with Haimen and Kunshan cities in neighbouring eastern Jiangsu province. Its helicopters can transport three passengers and four standard suitcases, with each journey leg taking 25 minutes.
Representative Gu Wenjun of Shanghai Xinkong stated the company launched five additional routes during the holiday. These new services connected locations in Zhejiang and Jiangsu, both neighbouring provinces, to meet increasing demand.
Marketing Director Zhang Xuefeng announced Xinkong's plan to expand its service network to at least 45 routes in the Yangtze River Delta region by 2030. The organisation aims for extensive regional coverage.
A one-way helicopter flight between Shanghai and Nantong costs USD 101, taking approximately 30 minutes. This journey reduces travel time by 70% compared with driving.
The rise in on-demand helicopter services provides an alternative for travellers seeking to avoid crowds during China's annual Spring Festival travel rush. This period is often described as the world's largest human migration.
Chinese travellers are expected to undertake 9.5 billion passenger journeys from February 2 through March 13. This robust consumer demand is fuelling the expansion of new helicopter routes across the country.
In southern Guangdong province, a special low-altitude route for the Spring Festival was introduced between Hengqin in Zhuhai and Shenzhen. This service shortens the intercity trip to just 30 minutes.
Another helicopter service connecting Nanchong in southwest China's Sichuan province and Chongqing also debuted during the holiday. These new routes demonstrate widespread growth.
Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing, and Chengdu are anticipated to pioneer regular low-altitude travel by 2027. Director Luo Jun of the Future Low-Altitude Economy Innovation Center of Sichuan Tianfu New Area shared this projection.
The low-altitude economy refers to aerial economic activities up to 1 kilometre above the Earth's surface. This sector encompasses various activities, including drone operations and manned aircraft.
On-demand helicopter services saw bookings rise nearly 1.5 times during the Chinese New Year.
Shanghai Xinkong Helicopter launched new routes and plans to expand to at least 45 routes by 2030.
A one-way helicopter flight between Shanghai and Nantong costs USD 101, reducing travel time by 70%.
Source: SCMP
