(Handout via Xinhua Daily)

A test flight from the Suzhou Bay heliport in Wujiang District, Suzhou City, to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport was successfully completed on October 12.

A 7-seat helicopter arrived at the airport after approximately 18 minutes of flight. During peak hours, it usually takes about 90 minutes to cover the 70-kilometer distance by road, and this could extend to 150 minutes when considering the time for security checks and boarding. In contrast, with the helicopter service, passengers can complete the journey in as little as 30 minutes, thanks to the dedicated fast-track access at the airport.

To ensure smooth operation of the route, the aviation authority organized several cross-departmental meetings. Participants from the Minhang District Government in Shanghai, the Wujiang District Government, and the operator, Heli-Eastern, discussed risk management and noise control, aiming to establish an efficient connection without disrupting the busy flight schedule at the airport.

Liang Jin, head of the Operations Control Center at Heli-Eastern, mentioned that the company is going to open additional flight routes from Wujiang to other districts of Suzhou, including the helipad at Suzhou North Railway Station.