Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Homeport on Thursday inaugurated cross-boundary helicopter services that shorten the travel time to Hong Kong and Macao to less than 20 minutes, becoming the nation's first port hub integrating sea and air transportation.

The move further advances the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)’s goal of building an efficient “30-minute transportation circle” among major cities to boost regional integration.

Shenzhen East General Aviation, which operates the service, said the route to Macao connects to Macau International Airport and takes about 15 minutes.

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The route to Hong Kong connects to Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, with a travel time of ten to 20 minutes.

The service fills the gap in helicopter routes between Shenzhen and Macao and adds new options for travel between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

On Thursday morning, two helicopters carrying the first batch of passengers of the service completed their journeys.

Among them was a Hong Kong resident surnamed Ng, who took the flight to attend a business function in Hong Kong. Highlighting the service’s efficiency, he said it cuts travel time from two hours by land to only 15 minutes, adding that the price is three to five times that of land transportation.

Jiang Chengfeng, deputy director of the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, believes this highly efficient “aerial corridor” will promote the flow of talent, capital, and information within the Greater Bay Area.

This initiative marks a milestone in enhancing cross-boundary low-altitude and port-economy development among the cities. It is also expected to provide valuable experience in areas such as low-altitude route planning, flight services, and infrastructure development, he added.

Employees of Shekou customs and border control station say that they have implemented various measures to enhance the experience for helicopter passengers, offering an exclusive channel for them to expedite clearance. Helicopter crew members can complete the procedure in a designated inspection room.

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A Shenzhen resident surnamed Ge, who frequently travels to Macao by ferry, said that the new service is especially suitable for travelers with a business or sightseeing agenda. He hopes it can be linked with helicopter routes within Shenzhen and nearby mainland cities to provide more convenience for those in need.

With the completion of new land transport infrastructure, the development of the low-altitude economy, and the optimization of cross-border clearance, the Greater Bay Area is further reducing commuting times between cities from one hour to half an hour.

Last year, the opening of the Huangmaohai Sea-crossing Channel shortens the travel time between Zhuhai and Jiangmen to about 30 minutes, and the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link reduces the journey from Shenzhen to Zhongshan to a half-hour.

Contact the writer at bingcun@chinadailyhk.com