On October 31, the inaugural flight of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area low-altitude intercity route was completed successfully, marking the opening of the first low-altitude flight route between Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Haixinsha Island. The flight route now links Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (hereinafter "Baiyun Airport"), Haixinsha Island in Guangzhou, and Great China International Exchange Square in Shenzhen.
At 12:10 PM, an Airbus EC135 helicopter lifted off from the departure lounge?of Great China International Exchange Square, carrying its first batch of passengers. After a 30-minute flight, it touched down at the landing site on Haixinsha Island.
Later, at 4:35 PM, the helicopter departed Haixinsha Island, reaching Baiyun Airport's fixed-based operator in just 18 minutes.
This route is developed collaboratively by Yitong Business Aviation (under Guangdong Airport Authority) and Heli-Eastern, utilizing the Airbus EC135 as the backbone aircraft. The EC135, a twin-engine light helicopter first flown in 1994, is renowned for its versatility and quiet operation. It is widely used in medical emergencies, policing, commercial transport, and sightseeing.
The EC135 has a maximum cruise speed of 137 knots (approximately 254 km/h) and a cruise range of up to 342 nautical miles (about 634 km). Its cockpit is equipped with advanced autopilot and avionics systems, ensuring efficient and safe flights.
The EC135's cabin is designed for flexible configurations to meet different mission requirements and can normally accommodate 6 to 7 passengers. The EC135 also boasts spacious and comfortable seating, along with supplies like water and blankets, which guarantees quality flight experiences.
Low-altitude transportation primarily serves the need for rapid transit between and within cities. The 18-minute quick journey from Baiyun Airport to Zhujiang New Town caters to the highly efficient travel needs of business people.
During peak hours, traveling from Great China International Exchange Square to Haixinsha Island could take over 120 minutes by ground vehicles, with an additional 50 minutes needed to reach Baiyun Airport.
Now, with the new air connection, the flight from Great China International Exchange Square to Haixinsha Island takes just 30 minutes, plus a brief 2-minute security check. The onward flight from Haixinsha Island to Baiyun Airport is even quicker, requiring only 18 minutes, plus the same for security check.
The successful inaugural flight of this route is a key component of the "Low-Altitude Economic Application Scenario Display" at the 7th (China) Guangzhou Business Aviation Exhibition and General Aviation & Low-Altitude Economy Expo.
Guangzhou introduces "mini airport"
On the morning of October 31, Guangzhou's Huadu District hosted a parallel session of the Guangdong Conference on Innovative Development of Low-Altitude Application Scenarios and a groundbreaking ceremony for its low-altitude economic industrial park. At the event, sixteen enterprises engaged in the low-altitude economy signed agreements. The park officially began construction, and Guangzhou's first runway-type (concrete) takeoff and landing site for fixed-wing aircraft commenced trial operation.
At the park, the 550-meter runway welcomed its inaugural flight of a fixed-wing aircraft, demonstrating its capability to support the flight needs of most light sport aircraft (LSA).
A pilot flew the SA60L, a single-engine, two-seat LSA, showcasing the application of low-altitude aircraft in tourism and sightseeing to the audience present.
