EHang Holdings' EH216 passenger-grade AAV has completed a passenger-carrying autonomous flight demonstration in Japan, the first for the company and also for an autonomous eVTOL aircraft in Japan. The EH216 flew with two passengers and no pilot on board for a trip along the beautiful coastline of Tanoura Beach in Oita city, under the approval of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan.

Oita mayor Sato Kiichiro, who was present at the event, says: "Last July, the EH216 completed its, and Japan's, first point-to-point trial flight in Oita, receiving overwhelming responses. Now the EH216 takes on the challenge of passenger-carrying flight here, and I am very pleased to witness this moment. I hope that the passenger-carrying flight test will accelerate autonomous aerial vehicles to take a further step toward practical use cases so that this industry, full of opportunities, can be in full swing."

EH216 ride passenger Okayama Kurashiki Mizushima Aero & Space Industry Cluster Study Group (MASC) chairman Kirino Hiroshi adds: "The EH216 is a leader in the eVTOL field with extensive experience in passenger-carrying flights. This successful flight test of the EH216 in Oita Prefecture has shown us the possibilities of experiencing the beauty and pleasure the skies offer, without a pilot. We look forward to the EH216's flight tests in more cities and the future when EH216 can be deployed and applied in Japan."

EHang COO Xin Fang says: “Over the past two years, the EH216 has achieved one milestone after another in Japan with several rounds of demo and trial flights. This year brought passengers the possibility of riding in the air with this cutting-edge product and technology. All these milestones are inextricably linked to the support and trust of MLIT of Japan, local government departments and our partners. EHang has also demonstrated the reliability of our AAV products. We will continue working with our partners to promote safe, autonomous and eco-friendly UAM solutions in Japan so as to benefit more people worldwide with our passenger-grade AAVs.”

This first passenger-carrying autonomous flight is expected to further enhance the awareness and interest of UAM in the local community and accelerate the development of the Japanese UAM industry.