The maiden helicopter flight between south China's Guangdong Province and neighboring Hong Kong took place on Friday in Shenzhen in a move to help greatly increase travel efficiency between the economic powerhouse in southern China and the special administrative region.

The cross-border flight cuts travel time between Hong Kong and Shenzhen to just 15 minutes, according to the flight service provider, Shenzhen Eastern General Aviation Co.

Usually, it takes about three hours by land, given that cross-border customs clearance consumes a considerable amount of time.

"Demand is increasing for a cross-border flight service between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, where a number of transnational companies have already developed huge overseas businesses," said Zhao Lin, chairman of the Shenzhen Eastern General Aviation Co.

According to Zhao, the company is committed to building a faster transportation network in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by building up to 1,000 helipads within the next five years.

"The faster low-altitude transportation network will expand to 500 kilometers around Shenzhen," he said, adding that the Greater Bay Area will be reached by a 15-minute helicopter ride within the next few years.

In addition to business travel, the cross-border helicopter flights will also be available for emergency medical services and low-altitude tourism, according to Zhao.

"The Greater Bay Area has unique tourism resources – from Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor to Shenzhen Bay Port, visitors will thus be able to have a perfect low-air view of the cities," said Zhao.

(Cover: First Shenzhen-Hong Kong helicopter flight takes off from Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province, June 28, 2019. /VCG Photo)