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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 autonomous eVTOL (EH216-S), has formed a strategic partnership with China Southern Airlines General Aviation (CSGAC).
The collaboration aims to develop China's "low-altitude economy" through flight operations, infrastructure support, and establishing demonstration sites for aerial tourism and other use cases like island-hopping in the Greater Bay Area.
The self-flying EH216-S has achieved significant milestones, including the world's first commercial eVTOL flight and approval for mass production, benefiting from China's regulatory support for autonomous aircraft.
EHang's EH216-S is positioned as one of the most affordable eVTOLs at around $330,000, primarily targeting out-and-back aerial sightseeing trips with its two-passenger, short-range design.

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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.