The Airbus H135 helicopter carrying three passengers lifted off near the MGM Hotel Qingdao and headed for Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport on Dec 26.

Through the expansive glass windows, passengers enjoyed panoramic views of Qingdao, Shandong. Iconic landmarks such as May Fourth Square, Zhaoqiao Pier, and Xiaoyushan Park appeared in a whole new light, offering a unique perspective on the city.

Just minutes later, the helicopter safely landed on the tarmac of the Jiaodong International Airport. The passengers quickly boarded their flight as they were guided through the VIP security channel by airport staff.

This first flight marks the official launch of the helicopter shuttle service between downtown Qingdao and Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport—a first-of-its-kind initiative among northern China's civil aviation hubs.

The route network achieves full coverage across Qingdao's urban area with its 27 departure points within the city.

"Taking a helicopter to the airport is a completely new experience," said Zhou Minzhi, one of the first passengers. "Viewing Qingdao from above offers a completely different perspective. The landmarks look strikingly unique compared to what you see from the ground or on a commercial airplane."

"Compared to ground transportation, the biggest advantage of the helicopter is how fast and efficient it is," Zhou said. "The trip took just about ten minutes. After arriving at the airport, I got my boarding pass and went through a security lane to board my flight."

An executive from Shandong Hi-Speed Huatuo Aviation, the operator of the service, said, "this helicopter shuttle service caters to key business needs, chartered flights, and diverse public travel demands."

He said that the company will soon launch additional routes covering the Jiaodong Peninsula in Shandong province and explore the possibility of extending the service to Jinan International Airport. 

A helicopter shuttle service between downtown Qingdao and Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport began on Dec 26. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn