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EHang Partners With China Southern Airlines GA Arm

The Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer will partner on flight operations, infrastructure, demonstrations, and more.

Tuesday, July 02, 2024 at 09:00 AM ET

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EHang’s flagship EH216-S electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi completes a flight between Hengqin, Zhuhai, and Dong’ao Island in 2021. [Courtesy: EHang]

Key Takeaways:

EHang, manufacturer of the world's first type-certified pilotless eVTOL (EH216-S), has formed a strategic partnership with China Southern Airlines General Aviation (CSGAC) to advance China's "low-altitude economy."
The collaboration will focus on developing flight operations, infrastructure, and new use cases for the EH216-S, primarily for aerial tourism and other applications, with initial demonstration sites planned in the Greater Bay Area.
A key advantage of the EH216-S is its autonomous nature, eliminating the need for pilot training and aligning with China's regulatory approach that favors self-flying aircraft for early market deployment.

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EHang, manufacturer of the world’s first and only type-certified electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi, has formed a strategic partnership with the subsidiary of one of the world’s largest airlines.

The Chinese firm on Monday announced it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China Southern Airlines General Aviation (CSGAC), the GA subsidiary of China Southern Airlines, which in 2023 ranked as one of the 10 largest public airlines by revenue. EHang and CSGAC will focus mainly on flight operations, infrastructure support, demonstrations, and the development of new use cases for the former’s flagship EH216-S.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.