Zhejiang's first cross-province low-altitude logistics route launched

A Cessna 208 aircraft loaded with hundreds of kilograms of premium agricultural products from Jiande took off from Qiandao Lake General Airport in Zhejiang at approximately 10:30 am on July 4.

After a 1-hour 50-minute flight, it landed at Dalu Airport in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province. This maiden flight marks the launch of Zhejiang's first cross-province long-distance low-altitude logistics route operated by SF Express.

The logistical speed of these airborne agricultural products is impressive. The same morning, live fish from Qiandao Lake and freshly picked peaches were harvested, packed, and transported to the airport by 9:30 am. The entire logistics process, from farm to market, was completed within six hours – 16 hours faster than traditional road transport, allowing the freshness of the products to be preserved.

Zhou Jiawei, general manager of the SF Express Zhejiang-Anhui Distribution Area, highlighted the efficiency, noting the significant reduction in transit time.

In line with the recently released Hangzhou Low-Altitude Economy High-Quality Development Implementation Plan (2024-27), Hangzhou aims to create diverse low-altitude application scenarios and develop new business models. By 2027, Hangzhou hopes to rank in the top five nationally for low-altitude logistics volume, with over 1.8 million flights per year.

Low-altitude logistics encompasses various stages: immediate delivery by drones for end-stage delivery and mid-stage long-distance intercity and cross-province delivery, as demonstrated by the Jiande-Zhenjiang route.

The success of Zhejiang's first cross-province low-altitude logistics route is attributed to Hangzhou's existing aviation industry infrastructure. The Qiandao Lake General Airport, located in Jiande Aviation Town, benefits from 5,700 square kilometers of low-altitude airspace and hosts essential flight support elements. The airport is part of China's first batch of low-altitude tourism demonstration zones.

Zhou Jiawei explained that the robust low-altitude industry in Jiande serves as a foundation for extending logistics services to the western mountainous areas of Hangzhou and regions like Quzhou and Jinhua. These areas, with challenging terrain, can greatly benefit from the efficiency of air logistics, breaking traditional transport barriers.

SF Express expects this low-altitude logistics model to enhance transport efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta region by over 50 percent, swiftly delivering Zhejiang's agricultural products from farms to consumers' tables.