Takeoff for Shenzhen helicopter service
Xinhua, August 7, 2015 Adjust font size:
A company in southern China's Shenzhen on Friday launched helicopter tours over a scenic part of the city, while saying it also plans to start an intercity "flying taxi" service.
The tour over Nanshan District offers tourists a 25-minute ride for 2,598 yuan (about 418.78 U.S.dollars) per person.
The helicopters are operated by Astro Air Co. Ltd. Company CEO Chen Boru said it expects to start offering round trips between Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai, all business centers in Guangdong Province, soon.
"The driving time between the three cities is about two hours, and business people frequently have to make those trips," Chen said. "For them, helicopters are the most convenient transportation and they can bring passengers directly to the central business district."
The aircraft to be used in the intercity routes are a Sikorsky S-76, which can carry 8 to 12 people, and a Sikorsky S-92, which can carry 12 to 19 people, according to the company.
It is planning to offer two round-trip flights a week: on Friday afternoon and Monday morning, pending official vetting and testing procedures.
Chen said the price would be set at 3,000 yuan per person for each leg, and that the speedy services would provide in-flight Internet.
"These flying taxis could save at least an hour compared to traveling by car," he added. Endi