Feb 22, Kathmandu - As the Chinese Spring Festival (Chun Jie) travel rush intensifies, the demand for air taxi services in Shanghai has seen a remarkable surge. Short-distance helicopter flights connecting Shanghai with nearby coastal destinations are becoming increasingly popular, offering travelers a quick and scenic alternative to traditional road and ferry journeys.

Travel times that once took hours by road and ferry are now being cut down to just about 30 minutes via helicopter. Passengers can enjoy breathtaking views of Pudong, Lingang, the Donghai Bridge, and the open sea during their flight from Shanghai to Shengsi Islands.

According to Captain Syu Jianjun of Shanghai News Kai Helicopters, "The flight from Shanghai to Shengsi Islands is short and convenient. From the air, travelers can clearly see the city skyline, Donghai Bridge, and the sea, making the journey especially memorable."

Beyond the scenic experience, travelers are also benefiting from significant time savings. What used to be lengthy bus and ferry rides can now be completed in the morning, allowing passengers to return home by the afternoon. One traveler shared, "It used to take hours by bus and ferry. Today, I left in the morning and reached home by the afternoon. The quick, comfortable service is worth the fare."

During the Spring Festival travel rush, helicopter booking rates have increased by approximately 1.5 times compared to usual, according to Li Xin, head of Shanghai News Kai Helicopter Flight Department. Passengers can also book in advance through mini-programs, making travel even more seamless.

Air taxi services are gradually becoming an integral part of the extensive transportation network developing around the Yangtze River Delta. Under China's promotion of the 'Low-Altitude Economy,' short-distance routes via helicopters and small aircraft are expanding, aiming to make regional mobility faster, more efficient, and flexible.

Syu Shennan, head of the Traffic Support Section in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, noted, "Low-altitude routes reduce congestion on busy roads and meet the demand for high-quality travel. These services are likely to become the new norm for regional transportation in the future."

Experts project China's Low-Altitude Economy to grow more than fivefold by 2035, with the current market value of around $93 billion expected to reach $483 billion. This growth is linked not only to passenger transport but also to emergency rescue, tourism, business flights, and smart city initiatives.

However, issues such as aviation safety, flight route management, airspace coordination, and pricing policies remain topics of ongoing policy discussions. Nonetheless, during busy periods like the Spring Festival, short-distance helicopter services are proving to be an effective and innovative alternative for travelers.