Overview
- China's Civil Aviation Administration has granted air operator certificates to EHang Holdings and Hefei Hey Airlines, enabling the first commercial use of autonomous passenger drones.
- EHang's EH216-S, a fully electric, pilotless two-seater eVTOL, is the first mass-produced model approved for human-carrying operations.
- Initial services will focus on sightseeing flights in Guangzhou and Hefei, with tickets expected to go on sale soon.
- The EH216-S operates autonomously using 5G connectivity, has a cruise speed of 100 km/h, and a range of 22 miles per charge.
- China's low-altitude economy, projected to reach a market value of 1.5 trillion yuan by 2025, positions the country as a leader in autonomous aviation innovation.