The first inter-provincial cross-sea helicopter route in China completed its maiden flight on Sunday.
Operated by China Southern General Aviation, the flight was performed by a Sikorsky S76 medium-sized twin-engine helicopter, which can carry 12 passengers.
The flight route starts from Sanya Tianya Helicopter Airport in south China's Hainan Province and ends at the Xintang helicopter take-off and landing point in Zhanjiang City of south China's Guangdong Province, with a flying time of 60 minutes.
Li Erbao, chairman of China Southern Airlines General Aviation, said that during the trial operation period, the route mainly provides charter services. Clients can customize exclusive flight plans according to their needs and enjoy a new experience of efficient and convenient cross-sea travel.
"The new route aims more to meet the travel demands during holidays, conventions and exhibitions, and major festivals, to open up a new cross-regional flight channel across the Qiongzhou Strait or between Hainan and Guangdong provinces. It is also to serve the low-altitude economic development in the two provinces," Li said.
Li said that in the future, China Southern General Aviation will plan regular and non-regular flights for the inter-provincial cross-sea helicopter route from Sanya to Zhanjiang based on market feedback, and increase flights as appropriate during weekends, holidays, convention-exhibition periods and high seasons of tourism.
China's first cross-sea helicopter route launched
China's commissioning of "five essentials for aircraft carriers" marks a a significant achievement of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s accelerated transformation and development, said Jiang Bin, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference in Beijing on Saturday.
The "five essentials" refer to stealth carrier-based fighters, multirole catapult-assisted carrier-based fighters, fixed-wing carrier-based early warning aircraft, fixed-wing electronic warfare aircraft, and anti-submarine helicopters.
"The package, or what media have dubbed the 'five essentials for aircraft carriers,' is a vital link in forming the systematic combat capability of aircraft carrier formations and a significant achievement in the PLA Navy’s accelerated transformation and development. Building a strong PLA Navy embodies the Chinese nation's long-cherished aspiration of striving to be a strong naval power and serves as an important guarantee for realizing national rejuvenation. In the new era, under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and President Xi, the modernization of the PLA Navy has become increasingly solid and powerful. From the air to the sea, from coastal waters to the open ocean, the types and functions of various weapons platforms have been continuously improved, achieving leapfrog development and innovative breakthroughs, providing stronger guarantees for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests," he said.
Spokesman confirms commissioning of 'five essentials' for carriers
