New air route to boost rural produce sales and tourism in NW Chinese city

The aircraft receives a water cannon salute, civil aviation's highest ceremonial honor, as it lands at Guyuan Liupan Mountain Airport. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A Liupan Mountain-themed aircraft from Chengdu landed at Guyuan Liupanshan Airport in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region on May 26, marking the launch of a city-branded airline partnership between Guyuan city and Chengdu Airlines.

The aircraft's red exterior features iconic Guyuan symbols. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The aircraft's red exterior features iconic Guyuan symbols, including the Liupan Mountains and Jiangtaibao Red Army Long March Memorial Park. Inside the cabin, overhead bins display cloud-covered mountain views, while tray tables and headrests highlight local products such as Liupan Mountain beef and cool-climate vegetables, along with QR codes for Guyuan tourism that give passengers a taste of the city's culture and produce.

During the maiden flight, the cabin crew acted as Guyuan's cultural ambassadors, introducing passengers to the city's heritage, scenery, and folk traditions, turning the flight into a traveling exhibit for Guyuan's tourism brand. 

Xiji beef makes its way to Chengdu on the Liupan Mountain-themed flight. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

This Liupan Mountain-themed flight also introduces additional cargo services, with shipping time for Guyuan beef to the Chengdu-Chongqing area reduced from 14 hours to just two hours, and logistics costs under 1 yuan ($0.15) per kilogram from airport to airport.

Beyond beef, Guyuan's specialty produce, including cool-climate vegetables and potatoes, will also reach tables in southwest China via this direct air route.

Six routes are now in service at Guyuan Liupanshan Airport, linking the city to destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Fuzhou, Chengdu, and Urumqi.