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Businessman Xu Wei became the first passenger to travel the new low-altitude commuter helicopter route linking Jiaxing to Suzhou on March 18— slicing his usual two-hour car trip down to just 60 minutes.

The service, operated by Shanghai Newsky Helicopter Co, marks the launch of the Yangtze River Delta's first regional low-altitude transport loop.

Xu boarded the five-seat chopper at Jiaxing Sports Center and landed 25 minutes later at Jinji Lake in Suzhou, allowing time for ground transfer before a business meeting.

"I save at least an hour, avoid traffic, and enjoy a great view," Xu said. He regularly commutes among Jiaxing, Suzhou, and Shanghai for work.

The route uses compact helicopters capable of cruising at 230 km/h with a maximum range of 560 km. A small boarding lounge adjacent to the helipad offers basic screening and waiting facilities.

Newsky has launched 12 such low-altitude routes across the region and carried over 6,600 passengers in 2024.

Authorities in Jiaxing's Nanhu district say the city is investing heavily in low-altitude economy infrastructure, with use cases already emerging in logistics, emergency response, and public safety.