China’s EHang has promised to launch a reasonably priced flying taxi service by the end of the year.

In late March, Chinese company EHang received permission from Chinese regulators to fly people, allowing it to launch “air excursions” in two regions of China by the end of this year, charging a fee for the service. EHang representatives promised that the ticket price would be affordable for the general population.

Image source: EHang

By the end of this year, EHang will launch fixed routes to fly over landmarks in Guangzhou and Hefei. The EH216-S electric aircraft will be able to take two people on board, and neither of them will have to participate in controlling the aircraft, since this will be entrusted to automation. The electric aircraft is designed for a range of about 30 kilometers. Safety systems are provided that allow it to land smoothly even if part of the engines or propellers fail.

As EHang Vice President He Tianxing explained in an interview with Nikkei Asian Review, the prices for the tickets that will be distributed through the dedicated network have not yet been set. However, “this type of travel is designed for the mass consumer, so the prices will be aimed at the general public,” as a company representative explained. In Thailand, EHang has been conducting test flights with passengers on board since November 2024. Local authorities are open and friendly towards the idea of ​​launching such transport services in the country, so EHang is placing a special bet on the Thai market.

Although EHang aims to be the first company in the world to commercially transport tourists by air taxi, the competition in this segment is quite high. For example, the American Joby Aviation plans to complete all the necessary certification activities by the end of this year and begin transporting passengers by flying taxis in Dubai. In Japan, a couple of local airlines on Joby electric planes expect to begin transporting passengers in a couple of years. The startup SkyDrive intends to do this by 2028.