East China launches low-altitude commuter route in Yangtze River Delta

(ECNS) -- The first low-altitude route of the Yangtze River Delta entered service on Tuesday in east China. Unlike previous tourism-focused air routes, this new line serves both commuting and travel purposes, linking three major cities -- Shanghai, Jiaxing, and Suzhou.

Xu Wei, the first passenger on this flight, said commuters could pay as little as 600 yuan (about $83) for a one-way ticket, boosting work efficiency.

This air route shortens travel time to less than 30 minutes, said an official from Nanhu District Transportation Bureau, noting this route marks a breakthrough in Nanhu's low-altitude economy and signals the Yangtze River Delta's entry into a new era of three-dimensional transportation.

A report shows that over two million people commute between cities daily in the Yangtze River Delta, with business travelers facing major hurdles. For example, travel from Jiaxing to Pudong takes 1.5 hours by car, passing through three transport hubs. Travel from Jiaxing to Suzhou, though only 80 kilometers apart, takes nearly two hours due to the lack of a direct high-speed rail link.

In recent years, low-altitude air travel in the Yangtze River Delta has become increasingly common, making "air taxis" a reality. In 2024, the region launched over 10 air routes, covering cities including Suzhou, Nantong, Wuxi, Haining, Hefei, Wuhu, and Huangshan, with more routes in the pipeline. (By Gong Weiwei)