On March 28, 2025, Guangdong EHang General Aviation and its two partner air transport operators received the first batch of Aircraft Operator Certificates (AOCs) from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The document allows for limited transportation of people by air, which will allow China to become the first in the world to begin commercial new low-altitude air mobility services using unmanned electric vehicles.
Image source: EHang
In the first stage, two companies will be involved in providing services: Hefei Heyi Aviation and a joint venture between EHang and Heyi, Hefei HeYi Aviation. Flights will be organized in Guangzhou and Hefei. Both operators have received CMEA certificates from the authorities. The issuance of such a certificate means that the aircraft has all the necessary flight permits, as well as maintenance personnel. However, in the case of flights on EHang EH216-S drones, certain restrictions apply.
Firstly, flights on the two-seater EHang EH216-S aircraft are classified as transporting people, not transporting passengers. Secondly, ticket sales will be limited to service points. Thirdly, there will be no established transport routes or public routes for EH216-S flights at this time.
All this means that the EHang EH216-S will fly along tourist and sightseeing routes established privately. Tickets can be purchased directly at the service locations. However, it is not possible to use the aircraft as a full-fledged air taxi – for example, to fly from point A to point B. The flight and landing must be carried out in one specially designated place, although the service will not be limited to takeoff, landing and hovering. Passengers will be able to take sightseeing flights over the immediate vicinity, but only along the route determined by the operator.
EHang emphasizes that despite the desire to launch a full-fledged urban air taxi, the company’s priority remains the safety of the service. The company and the regulator will approach the provision of low-altitude air taxi services gradually, gaining experience in operating new aircraft.
Let us recall that the cruising speed of the two-seater EH216-S is 100 km/h, the maximum speed is 130 km/h, and the flight range and time in the air are 30 km and about 25 minutes. Last year, EHang announced that the price of the EH216-S would be $410 thousand.