The model of AS700 "Xiangyun" airship displays at the Airshow China 2024. Photo: Courtesy of the Special Vehicle Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corp of China

China's homegrown civil airship, the AS700 "Xiangyun," received 10 new purchase orders on the opening day of the Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, and the developer said the maiden commercial flight of the airship is set to begin soon. 

At the signing ceremony on Tuesday, the Special Vehicle Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC)received a purchase order from a flight company under Kanglv Holding Group for 10 AS700 airships and an intention order for 54 more, the institute told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

During the annual "Double 11" (November 11) online shopping festival, AS700 was listed on Taobao.com, China's e-commerce platform under Alibaba Group. As a "secret buyer" who placed the first order on the platform, Jingmen Urban Construction Investment Holding Group Co placed an intention order for an additional 60 airships at the signing ceremony.

With an additional intention order for 50 airships from Guiyang Tourism Development Group Co, the AS700 has received firm orders for a total of 23 airships and intention orders for 164 airships, said the institute. 

At present, the first AS700 airship has been delivered to its pioneer client, and its maiden commercial flight is expected to be launched soon, the institute told the Global Times.

The signing ceremony of AS700 "Xiangyun" airship during the Airshow China 2024 Photo: Courtesy of the Special Vehicle Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corp of China

The airship has a total travel range of 700 kilometers and flight duration of 10 hours and a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour. It has a maximum takeoff weight of over 4,150 kilograms and can accommodate up to 10 passengers, including the pilot.

On August 21, 2024, AS700 completed first successful inter-provincial flight across 1,000 kilometers, signifying the longest and farthest journey ever undertaken by a home-made manned airship. 

On Tuesday, the Special Vehicle Research Institute also signed a purchase and rental agreement for six "Kunlong" AG600M aircraft, a multi-role amphibious aircraft developed by the institute, with a leasing company under AVIC International, expanding the aircraft's utility.