China's manned airship enables 'in the clouds' sightseeing

NANNING - China's low-altitude skies embraced a new type of aeronautic equipment as the first homegrown AS700 civil manned airship was delivered on Saturday, bringing people a sightseeing experience akin to flying "in the clouds."

The Special Vehicle Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) delivered the ten-seater airship to Guangxi Guilin Ark General Aviation Co, Ltd in Yangshuo county in Guilin, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The AS700 airship will be used for aerial sightseeing in Yangshuo, known for its ink painting-like natural landscapes. Also on Saturday, two clients placed orders for a total of 12 units of the AS700.

This marks the independently-developed Chinese AS700 manned airship achieving the key phases of development, airworthiness certification and delivery. In addition, it is about to enter the commercial operation phase, said the AVIC, the country's leading aircraft manufacturer.

"I do want to take a ride! To see my granddaughter studying at a university in Nanning and grandson serving in the army," said Liu Xiuqun, an 86-year-old granny living in a village near the airship's takeoff and landing pad in Yangshuo.