Travel special: Takeoff for helicopter tours around Beijing

A Beijing-based general aviation company recently won authorization from the National Tourism Administration to offer helicopter and airplane tours of areas near the capital city.

On Feb 28, Reignwood Aviation Group began operating from its newly built airport in Miyun county of northeast of Beijing.

It was also recognized by the tourism authority as China's first demonstration base for low-altitude air tours. The airport is about 60 kilometers from the city center of Beijing.

A trial tour showed passengers beautiful sights from a helicopter, including nearby Miyun Reservoir and the spectacular Simatai Great Wall in the north.

"It offers a totally different travel experience," said Yan Bin, chairman of Reignwood Aviation Group.

He said that the tours will officially open to the public in about three months.

Besides tourism, Reignwood plans to expand its business into emergency rescue and chartered services for corporate clients.

The group now has 21 aircraft including small airplanes, helicopters and floatplanes.

Last year, it ordered 500 helicopters from US manufacturer Bell Helicopter for developing air tours in China. Delivery will be completed in five years.

Yan said the company will also develop air tours in other major cities around the country in five years.

According to the National Tourism Administration's statistics, China total tourism revenue amounted to 2.9 trillion yuan ($474 billion) in 2013, representing a strong growth of 14 percent from 2012.

"The number of tourists in China is increasing every year. They can afford and are interested in new things like air tours," said an official at the tourism administration.

"What a huge market - image millions of people waiting to take an air tour."

The official noted that the air tour segment is "only a minor part of the huge market of general aviation."

General aviation refers to civil airspace activities including operations for corporate clients, as well as operations for scientific research, emergency rescue, shows and events, and tourism.

The State Council and the Central Military Commission began to revise regulations on low-altitude airspace in 2010. In a document issued by the two organizations in 2010, flights in airspace below 4,000 meters can be made without prior approval from authorities.

According to the tourism official, a number of Chinese companies set up general aviation operations after the policy was announced, generating a large number of jobs in aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, staff training and airport operations.

"A new industry is taking shape in China. In other countries where the general aviation sector is very mature, even minor sectors like tourism, exhibitions or training can generate millions dollars in revenue," said the official.

He added that the rise of general aviation industry provides new possibilities in public services, especially emergency rescue.

"Low-altitude aircraft are smaller and have more flexible time schedules, making the whole rescue process easier and quicker."

fuchao@chinadaily.com.cn