The first inter-provincial cross-sea helicopter flight from Sanya, Hainan province, to Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, completed its maiden launch on Sunday, with a journey time of around one hour. It aims to enhance the connectivity to and from the island province with agile flight services.

This follows the launch of a low-altitude cross-border route from Guangzhou to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by China Southern Airlines on Thursday, marking another milestone in low-altitude cross-sea travel.

The route, operated by China Southern Airlines General Aviation Company Ltd, uses the advanced Sikorsky S76 medium twin-engine helicopter, which can carry 12 passengers. It departed from Sanya Tianya General Airport and arrived at the Xintang helicopter landing point in Zhanjiang.

During its trial operation period, the route primarily offers charter services, allowing both domestic and international travelers to customize their travel plans and enjoy a new, efficient, and convenient cross-sea travel experience.

Based on market response, the company plans to schedule regular and non-regular flights, adding more services during weekends, holidays, exhibitions, and peak tourist seasons, said Li Erbao, chairman of the company.
A variety of aircraft, including the spacious and comfortable Sikorsky S92 with 19 seats and the flexible Bell 429 with six seats, will be deployed to cater to different passenger preferences.

This initiative not only improves transportation convenience but also offers passengers aerial sightseeing experiences over attractions such as Wuzhi Mountain and Moon Bay in Hainan, and Huguangyan National Geopark Scenic Area in Guangdong, further enriching both provinces' tourism appeal.

"The opening of this low-altitude flight route will facilitate the economic, cultural, and social exchanges between Hainan and Guangdong, constructing a swift and convenient pathway for interactions and travel between the two regions," Li said.

Hainan province issued the "Three-Year Action Plan for Low-Altitude Economic Development (2024-2026)" on Sept 3, aiming to achieve a total output value of over 30 billion yuan ($4.3 billion) in the low-altitude economy by 2026 and establish a main network of low-altitude routes.

Sanya has introduced a decision on Sept 13 to accelerate the development of new productive forces, promoting the aerospace industry and vigorously developing a low-altitude economy centered on tourism.

As a sub-central city in Guangdong province and a key growth pole in the coastal economic belt, Zhanjiang has implemented the "Zhanjiang Action Plan for Promoting High-Quality Development of the Low-Altitude Economy (2024-2026)" since Sept 22. The city is accelerating the layout of the low-altitude economy in areas such as logistics, emergency response, healthcare, transportation, culture and tourism, smart agriculture, and the marine economy.