China’s aviation sector has achieved a significant breakthrough with the AS700 airship receiving its official production certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on December 31, 2024. This regulatory milestone, granted during a formal ceremony in Jingmen, Hubei province, authorizes the commencement of serial production and delivery operations for what represents China’s largest domestically developed airship.
The certification marks the culmination of an extensive development program that began in August 2018 under the supervision of the Special Aircraft Research Institute, a subsidiary of state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC). The comprehensive testing phase involved 187 experimental flights accumulating over 600 flight hours, thoroughly validating the aircraft’s performance and safety parameters.
Technically sophisticated, the AS700 features piston engine propulsion capable of achieving maximum speeds of 100 kilometers per hour with an operational ceiling of 3,100 meters. The airship boasts substantial payload capacity with a maximum takeoff weight of 4.15 metric tons, accommodating one pilot alongside nine passengers. Its design enables extended operational range up to 700 kilometers with endurance capabilities reaching 10 hours continuously.
While initially conceived for aerial tourism applications, the AS700 demonstrates remarkable operational versatility across multiple sectors. Beyond passenger transportation, designers highlight its suitability for specialized missions including mineral exploration, maritime surveillance, law enforcement patrols, cargo transportation, and emergency response operations.
The program has already secured substantial market validation with 42 confirmed orders, including the first delivery to Taicang Cultural Tourism Development Group, a state-owned enterprise in Jiangsu province. This initial transfer signals the commencement of commercial aerial sightseeing services, establishing new paradigms for low-altitude tourism experiences across China.
This achievement represents the second major regulatory milestone for the program following the type certificate received in December 2023, collectively establishing the AS700 as China’s first fully certified manned airship developed through domestic aerospace capabilities.