In China, private jets are out and helicopters are in as low altitude tourism takes off

Every weekend above Jianshan, a newly developed tourist destination near Hangzhou Bay in Zhejiang province, about a dozen tourists take Cheng Weishi’s Robinson R44 helicopter to experience their first “low-altitude tour”.

For some living near this affluent area on the mainland’s east coast, helicopter tours costing about 680 yuan (HK$830) for 10 minutes have become fashionable entertainment.

In contrast to the bleak business outlook for private jet charters due to Beijing’s austerity measures, the general aviation sector is confident about the low-altitude tourism market.

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Within the past two years, scenic air tour services have flourished from megacities such as Beijing to fourth-tier cities such as Haining, where Jianshan is situated.

Cheng, a pilot and the co-founder of Zhejiang BLS General Aviation, was among the first to see the market’s potential. He figured demand for helicopter tours would grow alongside the expansion of the middle class.

“It’s still a new sightseeing experience for mainlanders, and we believe there’s much space for growth in the near future,” said Cheng.