A helicopter from Hangzhou lands at Moganshan Airport in Deqing county, Huzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: deqingfabu]

A helicopter took off from Hangzhou and landed at Moganshan Airport in Deqing county, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, on Jan 16 after a 15-minute flight. This marked the start of a new low-altitude flight route connecting Hangzhou and Deqing. 

The 45-kilometer route, flying at an altitude of 300 meters, signifies the shrinking spatial distance between the two regions, according to Zhang Hanwen, flight department manager of Hangzhou Xinlian General Aviation Co.

The helicopter can take five to six passengers. Residents can call the company to book the service, added Zhang.

The surge in air travel is underpinned by the robust growth of the low-altitude economy. In Deqing, the low-altitude economy's applications are diversifying rapidly.

Last year, Deqing launched five low-altitude sightseeing routes, attracting over 500 visitors. It also integrated the low-altitude economy with medical services, introducing four rapid medical transport routes covering medical facilities at the county, town, and village levels, making it 50 percent more efficient than by ground.

Moreover, three terminal drone delivery routes have been established in the county, handling more than 20,000 deliveries.