China’s homegrown AS700 civilian airship has recently successfully completed its first trial flight in Hubei of China, showcasing its potential for low-altitude tourism or aerial sightseeing. The project leader from the State-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) emphasized that the AS700 airship is unparalleled within China, offering several advantages over its international counterparts.       

The AS700 airship, designed by Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), flew at an altitude of 500 meters and at a cruising speed of 60 kilometers per hour at the trial flight. With a maximum flight duration of 10 hours, the airship can accommodate ten people, including the pilot, making it an ideal choice for extended sightseeing tours. In the low-altitude skies, passengers can enjoy aerial views through large panoramic side windows. With moderate speed and low altitude, the airship provides tourists with an experience similar to “floating on clouds,” said the developer.

AS700 can conduct vertical take-off and landing in a narrow field, making it more mobile and flexible than other types of airships.

Besides providing low-cost aerial tours, the airship is capable of doing other applications like emergency rescue, urban security, and aerial geographical surveys.

China has a huge market for low-altitude economy which is estimated to have exceeded 500 billion yuan (US$70.1 billion).