AAV technology platform EHang Holdings has received its biggest pre-order in Japan for 50 units of the EH216 from Japan-based air mobility digital platform company AirX Inc.

The pre-order is planned to facilitate various UAM projects in Japan and may provide air taxi services for the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Kansai.

"Our partnership with AirX marks a key milestone for us to further explore and develop the UAM market in Japan," says EHany founder, chairman and CEO Huazhi Hu. "We are delighted to see an increasing number of air transportation partners are introducing EHang's safe, autonomous and sustainable urban air mobility solutions to the general public."

As a helicopter service platform provider in Japan, AirX has developed and operated reservation platforms for more than 100 helicopter sightseeing operating routes and private helicopter charters. Annually, it can book over 2,000 helicopter sightseeing flights throughout the country, and over 200 chartered flights. Since its establishment, AirX has served over 15,000 chartered flight customers.

AirX founder and CEO Tezuka Kiwamu says: "The low-altitude transportation and tourism market has great potential and broad prospects. By leveraging the advantages of autonomous flight technologies and centralised management, the EH216 AAVs can provide customers with cost-effective aerial sightseeing services, which is why AirX selects EHang as a partner in the global eVTOL market. We look forward to offering consumers safer and more convenient travel options with the EH216 in the future."