A drone gently lands, carrying a cup of freshly brewed coffee; a helicopter soars 200 meters above the Huangpu River, offering breathtaking views of the city; thousands of drones light up the sky in a dazzling display of tech and art. These are not just fantasies - in Yangpu, the low-altitude economy is becoming a reality, making its way into everyday life.

Leveraging technological innovation and policy support, Yangpu has been actively fostering new forms of the low-altitude economy in recent years. Many local companies have achieved breakthroughs in this field. Tech leaders like Meituan Drones, Shanghai New Sky, and Crostars are turning the low-altitude economy from idea to reality. Through cutting-edge R&D, expanding applications, and global partnerships, they are driving urban high-quality development.

Whether it is cruising 200 meters above the Huangpu River to soak in the stunning views of the city, appreciating the Disney fireworks from above, or taking cross-provincial low-altitude flights, the low-altitude economy is adding a new dimension to how we live and work.

The Yangtze River Delta's low-altitude transportation network recently hit a major milestone with the debut of its first intercity low-altitude public air route, connecting Pinghu, Haining, Yuecheng, and Keqiao. This route ushers in a new era of "air-ground integration" for the region's transportation network, offering residents a more flexible and efficient way to travel.

Shanghai New Sky Helicopter Co., Ltd. (Shanghai New Sky) runs this route with daily flights. The Bell 505 helicopter makes the 18-minute one-way trip quick and efficient. The service uses a "high-frequency, small-group" model with ticket prices starting at 398 yuan per person. It offers a new solution for integrated transportation in this region. Plus, shared rides are available to make the most of resources.

"The launch of this air route is truly groundbreaking," noted Xu Jianjun, General Manager of Shanghai New Sky. This route brings a fresh travel choice to residents of Shanghai, Jiaxing, and Shaoxing. Meanwhile, the "low-altitude public air route" and "shared flight" model introduced by Shanghai New Sky boosts passenger numbers, lowers costs per seat, and passes those savings directly to travelers, making air travel more affordable. This "high-frequency, small-group" model is perfectly suited to the current market needs for low-altitude travel and also lays the groundwork for a future intercity low-altitude transportation network.

On May 6, 2025, Shanghai New Sky celebrated its eighth year of safe operations. Over the eight years since its founding, the company has logged over 5,000 hours of safe flights and transported more than 10,000 passengers. It offers services in low-altitude transportation, tourism, and rescue. The company has built a strong team of skilled pilots who can handle any environment and mission. It also has senior maintenance engineers for various aircrafts and a top-notch flight support team. Recognized by the CACC East China Regional Administration as a "Model General Aviation Enterprise in the '13th Five-Year' Period", the company is also designated as the official aerial medical rescue provider for the Hangzhou Asian Games and Asian Para Games.

Looking ahead, Shanghai New Sky will keep fine-tuning its flight schedules based on market needs and roll out more low-altitude public air routes. This will help build a more robust 3D transportation network in the Yangtze River Delta. By spreading this innovative travel model, we can create a more dynamic low-altitude travel circle in the Yangtze River Delta.