[Date: Recent]

[Voiceover]

China's domestically-developed manned airship the AS700 has recently completed its maiden flight between cities in central China's Hubei Province.

During the roughly one hour and 45-minute test ride, the blimp's pilot said it was easy to maneuver, particularly during the vertical take-off and landing.

[Sondbite]

Lin Hong, Airship pilot:

"Everything went well, as planned. Much more comfortable than the small-sized planes we usually take. It only needs a small space to do vertical take-off and landing."

[Voiceover]

According to its developer, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the single-capsule manned airship can carry up to 10 people, including a pilot, with a maximum flight range of about 700 kilometers.

Since the airship obtained its type certificate in China last year, the company has received 18 intended purchase orders, with several potential buyers working in the tourism sector.

The first airship is scheduled to be delivered by the end of this year.