Low-altitude economy takes off in Yangtze Delta

An air taxi service connecting airport terminals in Shanghai and the nearby city of Kunshan, Jiangsu province, completed a trial flight on Saturday, marking a new push in the development of the low-altitude economy, a strategic emerging industry.

The service is operated by Shanghai Newsky Helicopter Co.

The one-way, 82-kilometer trip, from Kunshan's airport to Pudong district's Xingye aviation base near Shanghai Pudong International Airport, took around 25 minutes aboard a Bell 505 helicopter capable of a top speed of 231 km/h, according to the Shanghai Economy and Informatization Commission. The commute using ordinary transportation can take up to two hours.