Tourist trips between Zhuhai Jiuzhou Helipad and Dong'ao Island will run every Saturday beginning in late May, offering commanding views of island scenery, Zhuhai Opera House, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Up and away [Photo courtesy China Southern Airlines General Aviation Ltd]

Jiuzhou Helipad is just south of Haibin Beach on Lovers Avenue in Jida. According to an official from the Wanshan Marine Development Experimental Zone, routes from there to Big Wanshan and Wailingding islands are also to open in this tourism season. Those to Guishan and Dangan islands will follow.

Some flights will be ongoing and others temporary. All will be operated by China Southern Airlines General Aviation, sources say.

Gree Dong'ao Hotel, Hengqin New Area Wankelai International Travel Service, and Asia Pacific General Aviation Co will together offer tourism products related to the flights. These include seafood, water sports, helicopter transport, and low-altitude sightseeing. Packages such as "one-way helicopter + one-way boat tickets + hotel" and "round-way helicopter tickets + hotel" will be rolled out.