Shenzhen has launched a combined transport service featuring cross-boundary and domestic helicopter connections, further improving travel efficiency and encouraging closer exchanges in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The service made its debut recently with a maiden flight carrying four foreign business travelers. Departing from Hong Kong's Shun Tak Heliport in Central district, the helicopter reached Shenzhen’s Shekou Cruise Home Port in around 20 minutes.

The passengers completed customs clearance via a dedicated channel and transferred to a domestic helicopter for their final destination, with the entire journey taking just 50 minutes, far less than the three hours needed for conventional travel.

The development marks a milestone in cross-boundary transport service innovation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong and helps achieve the “one-hour living circle” within the Greater Bay Area.

The new intermodal service follows the inauguration of cross-boundary helicopter routes between the home port and Hong Kong and Macao in November, which shortened their travel time to 20 minutes and 15 minutes, respectively.

Local governments in the Greater Bay Area have been exploring new ways to facilitate intercity transportation as cross-boundary travel demand surges amid deeper regional integration.

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According to official statistics, Shenzhen ports recorded 72.63 million passenger trips in the first quarter of this year, up 14.2 percent on a yearly basis. Of the total, outbound trips stood at 36.62 million and inbound trips at 36.01 million.

About 67.27 million cross-boundary trips were made through Shenzhen’s land ports, 1.6 million via airport ports and 551,400 through sea ports.

Contact the writer at sally@chinadailyhk.com