China has initiated a trial run for a new low-altitude air route connecting Kunshan City in Jiangsu Province to Shanghai, marking a significant step in its ongoing efforts to develop its low-altitude economy. Operated by Shanghai New Sky Helicopter Co., Ltd., the new route aims to drastically cut travel time between the two cities from approximately 1.5 to 2 hours by road to just 30 minutes by air.
On August 10, a commercial helicopter completed a test flight, taking off from Kunshan's city terminal and landing at Shanghai's Pudong flight base in just over 30 minutes. The helicopter reached an altitude of 285 meters and a maximum speed of close to 200 kilometers per hour, demonstrating the efficiency of this new mode of transportation.
The service is expected to officially launch on August 18, with ticket prices ranging from 1,600 to 1,800 yuan (about $224 to $252) per trip. The new route is expected to attract 20,000 to 30,000 passengers annually, generating over 10 million yuan in economic benefits.
Reference(s):
China launches trial run of intercity low-altitude air route
cgtn.com
