ABell 429 helicopter took off from the Kunshan City Terminal in Suzhourecentlyand, after a 20-minute flight with a brief stop at the temporary landing point inWestHongqiao Business DistrictinQingpuDistrict, landed smoothly in Shanghai. This marks the opening of thefirst low-altitude traffic route linking Kunshan and central Shanghai.

The integration of the Hongqiao Hub,a national-level comprehensive transportation hub,into the Yangtze River Delta’s low-altitude traffic network is of major strategic significance for advancing regional low-alt traffic integration.

Xue Lingjie,deputygeneralmanager of Shanghai New Sky Helicopter Co Ltdwhich operates the route, saidthat the company plans to complete the construction of a helipad at the Hongqiao International Low-Altitude Economy Industrial Park (Qingpu) by the end of this year. Once operational, it will establish low-altitude traffic links connecting the Hongqiao Hub to all 16 districts of Shanghai. These routes will string together key areas of the Yangtze River Delta, forming a “30-minute flight circle.”

According to the Action Plan for High-Quality Development of the Low-Altitude Economy Industry (2024–2027) released bytheShanghaiMunicipal Governmentin 2024, by 2027, the core area of the Hongqiao Business District is expected to become a national pilot zone for low-altitude economic development. It will establish a globally influential hub featuring full industrial chain coverage, all-scenario applications, and comprehensive factor aggregation in the low-altitude economy.

The Hongqiao International Low-Altitude Economy Industrial Park (Qingpu), located at 88 Huilong Road, has already gathered multiple enterprises related to the low-altitude economy. The park is focused on promoting industrial clusteringwithR&D of supporting technologies, advanced manufacturing, and operational support servicesin support of integrated regional development of the low-altitude economy in the Yangtze River Delta.