A regular helicopter passenger flight route connecting the city of Nantong

A regular helicopter passenger flight route connecting the city of Nantong in eastern China’s Jiangsu Province with Shanghai was officially launched on Thursday, slashing travel time between the two cities and providing an efficient daily commuting service.

Operating twice per day at peak times, the new flight route covers a distance of 123 kilometers, cutting the original two-hour travel time on the ground down to just 40 minutes by air. In addition to its speed, the flight also allows passengers to enjoy the unique urban landscapes on both sides of the Yangtze River from the air.

The new route marks the latest development in China’s fast-growing low-altitude economy, which refers to economic activities and industries centered around manned and unmanned aerial vehicles operating in the airspace usually within 1,000 meters above the ground.