政府新闻
上海至嵊泗直升机服务正式启航 2025-08-17

Shanghai launched a direct helicopter service to the Shengsi Islands in neighboring Zhejiang Province last Saturday, significantly reducing travel time for tourists and commuters.
The service, run by Shanghai New Sky Helicopter Co., departs from Fuxing Island in Yangpu District and lands on Sijiao Island in Shengsi. The flight takes about 30 minutes.
Currently, traveling from downtown Shanghai to Shengsi by road and ferry takes 4 to 6 hours. Travelers typically endure a long bus ride, followed by a ferry ride lasting about 1.5 hours.
"We fly a Bell 429 twin-engine helicopter. It has weather radar, air conditioning, and autopilot," said Xu Jianjun, general manager of the company.
"The 30-minute flight gives travelers a unique view from river to sea," he told Shanghai Daily.
Tickets are available on the company's WeChat mini program. Introductory fares are under 2,000 yuan (US$278).
Li Yang, deputy general manager of the company and head of the Yangtze River Delta pilot program, said the new route marks the completion of six main air routes around Shanghai.
"By 2027, the network will cover 45 counties and cities in the region," he said.
Shanghai now has four main low-altitude hubs: Yangpu's Fuxing Island, Xuhui's Longhua Airport, as well as Hongqiao and Pudong.

Shi Jiaqing (left) and her boyfriend board the helicopter as the first batch of passengers on the new route.
From these hubs, routes already connect to destinations including Suzhou, Kunshan, Taicang, Nantong and Yancheng in Jiangsu Province, as well as Jiaxing and Shaoxing in Zhejiang, in addition to the new link to Shengsi. They will form a half-hour flying zone across key areas in the Yangtze River Delta.
Low-altitude aviation is a key part of Shanghai's 2024-2027 action plan for developing the "low-altitude economy." The plan aims to build a network of interprovincial general aviation routes and establish Shanghai as a "Sky City" with global influence.
Li said the company now operates 11 helicopters, while electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) will gradually replace traditional helicopters.
"Costs will go down," he said. "What used to be a luxury might cost only hundreds of yuan in the future."
First-time rider Shi Jiaqing said she was surprised by how fast the trip was. "It used to take half a day. Now it felt like just a moment. The sea changed from yellow near Shanghai to blue near Shengsi. It was beautiful."
Her partner, Zhou Yujie, said, "It saves time. We get more time to enjoy the island."
Another passenger, Zhuo Zonggen, who works in Lingang and lives in Pudong's Yangjing community, is hoping for a smoother way to get to and from work each day.
"Driving to Lingang takes at least an hour. By helicopter, it's only 15 to 20 minutes. If it is safe and comfortable, I will use it again," Zhuo said.

The helicopter takes off from Fuxing Island in Yangpu and lands at Shengsi in about half an hour.
Source: Shanghai Daily