EHang Becomes World’s First Company to Launch Commercial eVTOL Flights in China

In a groundbreaking move for the global aviation industry, EHang, a Chinese autonomous aircraft manufacturer, has officially become the first company in the world to launch commercial passenger flights with an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The milestone follows the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) granting air operator certificates to EHang General Aviation in Guangzhou and HeYi Aviation in Hefei. These certifications give EHang the regulatory green light to operate its EH216-S aircraft for human-carrying, autonomous sightseeing and tourism flights—marking the first commercial operation of its kind globally.

Customers in both Guangzhou and Hefei can now purchase tickets to experience low-altitude autonomous flights aboard the EH216-S, a two-seat self-flying aircraft developed entirely by EHang. The company said this move signals the arrival of a new era in aerial mobility and is part of China’s broader push to build a “low-altitude economy”—a national strategy to harness the economic potential of airspace below 1,000 metres.

The air operator certificates follow a series of regulatory milestones for EHang, including the world’s first eVTOL type certificate issued by CAAC in 2023, along with production and airworthiness approvals. While the current operations are limited—flights must land where they take off and are restricted to specific cities—EHang is working with authorities to expand inter-city routes and increase the number of operational hubs.

Unlike conventional passenger transport certification, the current approval authorises “human-carrying operations,” meaning EHang can offer nonscheduled, private route flights via its own booking platforms. The company clarified that full-fledged air taxi services—which require public ticketing, scheduled routes, and broader infrastructure—remain a longer-term goal.

“This is a historic step not only for EHang but for the entire eVTOL industry,” the company said in a statement. “Human-carrying pilotless aviation and the low-altitude economy are still in early stages but are a strategic national priority for China’s aviation sector.”

While U.S.-based eVTOL developers such as Joby Aviation, Archer, and Wisk Aero continue to await FAA certification for passenger services, China’s state-led model has enabled faster deployment of autonomous aircraft. The EH216-S’s debut highlights a sharp contrast in regulatory strategy, as China pushes ahead with pilotless operations while Western aviation authorities prioritize crewed flights.

EHang’s achievement positions it at the forefront of the race to bring eVTOL mobility to urban skies—showcasing what’s possible when innovation, policy, and public investment align.

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