Tourists view Zhoushan, Zhejiang province from a helicopter. [Photo/Zhoushan Daily]

An EC155 helicopter took off from Putuoshan Airport in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province on Nov 14, marking the official operation of the "Island-Around Flight" integrated project.

The airport is trying out an "Aviation + Tourism" model and launched the "Island Express Bus" aviation project in August 2020, opening three routes to Shengsi county's Caiyuan and Gouqi islands and Putuo district's Dongji Island.

This year is the first year of regular operation for the "Island Express Bus". As of the end of October, the project had operated over 800 flights, serving more than 10,000 passengers with a flight time exceeding 1,000 hours. It has become an effective supplement to island transportation and has improved island tourism services.

The "Island Aerial Tour" focuses on providing tourists with a unique aerial sightseeing experience, allowing them to admire beautiful mountain and sea landscapes and famous buildings from the air, said an employee of the airport.

The current "Island Aerial Tour" mainly operates a round-trip route between the airport and Dongji Island, with a total duration of approximately 30 minutes. The ticket price ranges from 300 to 500 yuan ($69) per person.

Flights will be regularly available on weekends, and additional flights will be added based on market demand. In the future, more types of general aviation aircraft will be introduced, and more aerial sightseeing routes and personalized and customized flight services will be launched.