Overview
- Hong Kong’s Ming Pao reported on December 31 that the Xiangyun entered formal mass production on December 30.
- The manned airship was developed by state-owned aerospace conglomerate AVIC.
- According to the coverage, China’s civil aviation regulator granted a manufacturing approval on December 30 and the first unit was delivered to an operator.
- Authorities intend to position the aircraft as a tourism draw to spur economic activity.
- Reported specifications include a length of about 50 meters, seating for 10, helium lift with an engine, typical flight at 100–300 meters, up to 100 km/h, endurance of up to 10 hours, a range of about 700 km, and vertical takeoff and landing capability.