Macau and Guangzhou now seem to be closer than ever as China Southern Airlines launched a helicopter service connecting the two cities. Still in its trial phase, the first flight departed from Guangzhou and arrived at the Macau Aviation Business Center last Friday.
Three flights had already been booked for the first day of operations, said Mr. Cui Guang, Director of the Logistics & General Aviation Development Department for Macau International Airport Company Limited (CAM).
China Southern Airlines Company Limited – Zhuhai Helicopter Branch Company, one of the main helicopter operators in the region – is providing the service. The Zhuhai Helicopter Branch is directly affiliated with China Southern Airlines, and currently owns 17 helicopters, also providing Asia’s largest S76 helicopter fleet, CAM said in a press release.
The flight from Guangzhou takes about 45 minutes and can carry up to 12 passengers.
Mr Cui said that, for now, the flight will be operated as a trial service, so that both Macau International Airport and the airline can assess the operation. “We will see how it will evolve and provide suggestions to improve it,” he stated.
Asked if there’s a great demand for helicopter services between Guangzhou and Macau, Cui Guang recognized that “there is a demand within the Pearl River Delta region,” but recalled that they haven’t conducted an in-depth study to provide specific figures.
Furthermore, he stressed that for now, the Macau International Airport is not planning any big developments in this area: “It’s a trial; we don’t have any plans for big investments. We can’t reveal much about the future of the industry yet.”
Nevertheless, Mr Cui stated that CAM is willing to provide support to airlines interested in flying to Macau. “But of course we want to open more [of the market] to mainland China in the future,” he added.
The new route is set to provide “fast and convenient cross-border services,” facilitate tourism development in both cities, and promote economic integration in the region.
Mr Cui also told reporters that general aviation recorded a 30 percent increase between January and July, and CAM forecasts a double-digit increase for the whole year.
“It is increasing because the region is developing well and it is attracting general aviation companies to Macau (…),” he stated, adding that CAM is committed to working on improvements across all aviation sectors.
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