A low-altitude flight route connecting Kunshan in Jiangsu province and downtown Shanghai takes off on Aug 18. [Photo/WeChat ID: iloveqingpu]

On Aug 18, a flight operated by a Bell 429 helicopter took off from Kunshan city — administered by Suzhou city in East China's Jiangsu province, made a brief stop in the West Hongqiao area of Shanghai's Qingpu district and then continued to its final destination in downtown Shanghai.

The inaugural chopper flight marked the official opening of the first low-altitude connection between Kunshan to downtown Shanghai and represented a major step in enhancing the Yangtze River Delta's air traffic network.

Operator Shanghai Newsky Helicopter Co Ltd, a leader in low-altitude transportation, launched the route. The company emphasized that it is more than just an additional flight path, but will serve as a model project for the low-altitude economy in the Yangtze River Delta region.

As a national-level integrated transport hub, the Hongqiao hub's integration into the Yangtze River Delta's low-altitude traffic network is said to be of strategic importance for regional connectivity.

By the end of the year, a helipad at the Hongqiao International Low-Altitude Economic Industrial Park in Qingpu district is expected to be completed by the company.

This will help link Hongqiao hub with all 16 districts in Shanghai, reinforcing its role as a major hub in the region's low-altitude transport network.

Last year, Shanghai released an action plan for the high-quality development of the low-altitude economy, which aims to make the Hongqiao International Central Business District a leading demonstration area for low-altitude economic development by 2027.

Under the plan, Newsky is actively applying for urban air traffic management pilot projects, contributing to the development of commercial urban air transportation.

Moreover, the company is actively establishing a network of low-altitude routes covering 45 districts and counties in the Yangtze River Delta region.