Flying toward a spectacular future

A bird's eye view of Longji terraces in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. [Photo/China Daily]

Helicopter operators are taking off on the back of the growing popularity of 'aerial tourism' in China

Pilot Lei Yanghua earned 200 yuan ($32.2) in tips after taking three tourists on a 15-minute helicopter trip over Guilin's stunning scenery in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

As they climbed over breathtaking rivers and lakes, and soared above rolling hills, his passengers marveled at the spectacular views.

Each one had paid 1,000 yuan for the chance to fly at 600 meters above the ground, and they loved every second of it.

"I don't get tips all the time," Lei, 26, who declined to reveal how much he earns a month, said. "But if my passengers really enjoy the journey they will offer me a tip. It's very kind and shows they enjoyed the experience."

Lei is one of three pilots employed by Zhanzhuo General Aviation, which specializes in sight-seeing trips, and flies from a heliport in Guilin.

During the past few years, "helicopter tourism" as it is known, has become increasingly popular.

Statistics from Asia Sky Group, a Hong Kong-based business aviation consultancy, showed that the helicopter fleet in China last year was 655 aircraft. That was a 30 percent rise compared with 2013, and the number is expected to increase to 800 by the end of this year.

"Aerial tours have become extremely popular globally," Sun Qingmin, deputy general manager of AVIC Helicopter Co Ltd, a Chinese helicopter manufacturer, said. "While the sector is quite small here, it is growing and will continue to grow, with disposable income rising among China's middle class."

The rapid improvement in aviation infrastructure, including new airports and heliports, is helping to drive growth in the sector, Asian Sky Group reported, highlighting the increase in commercial use by major corp-orations and the government.

But the boom is partly due to tourism.

In regions of extreme beauty, such as Sanya in Hainan province, Lijiang in Yunnan province and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, helicopter tourism is expanding, although there are no official figures.

The sector is also growing in Guilin, where Zhanzhuo General Aviation set up its business in January. The company linked up with the Zhuhai Helicopter Branch of China Southern Airlines Co to develop its tour operations.