China’s soaring low-altitude economy adds ‘new track’ with home-grown blimp delivery

China has added a new element to its growing low-altitude economy, that is already populated by commercial-use drones and flying cars, with the maiden delivery of its first home-grown “civil manned airship” blimp.

An AS700, manufactured by the Special Vehicle Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), was delivered to Guangxi Guilin Ark General Aviation in Yangshuo county in the southern Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on Saturday, Chinese media outlets reported.

China Daily also reported on Saturday that two other clients had ordered a combined 12 AS700 airships, which can hold a maximum weight of 4,150kg (9,149 pounds), fly up to 700km (435 miles) and stay airborne for as long as 10 hours, according to the People.cn news website.

Guangxi Guilin Ark General Aviation will use the 10-seat blimp for aerial sightseeing in a part of China known for karst peaks.

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Shenzhen leads low-altitude economy with new helicopter service at railway station

Shenzhen leads low-altitude economy with new helicopter service at railway station