The first inter-provincial cross-sea helicopter route in China completed its maiden flight on Sunday.
Operated by China Southern General Aviation, the flight was performed by a Sikorsky S76 medium-sized twin-engine helicopter, which can carry 12 passengers.
The flight route starts from Sanya Tianya Helicopter Airport in south China's Hainan Province and ends at the Xintang helicopter take-off and landing point in Zhanjiang City of south China's Guangdong Province, with a flying time of 60 minutes.
Li Erbao, chairman of China Southern Airlines General Aviation, said that during the trial operation period, the route mainly provides charter services. Clients can customize exclusive flight plans according to their needs and enjoy a new experience of efficient and convenient cross-sea travel.
"The new route aims more to meet the travel demands during holidays, conventions and exhibitions, and major festivals, to open up a new cross-regional flight channel across the Qiongzhou Strait or between Hainan and Guangdong provinces. It is also to serve the low-altitude economic development in the two provinces," Li said.
Li said that in the future, China Southern General Aviation will plan regular and non-regular flights for the inter-provincial cross-sea helicopter route from Sanya to Zhanjiang based on market feedback, and increase flights as appropriate during weekends, holidays, convention-exhibition periods and high seasons of tourism.
China's first cross-sea helicopter route launched
