AutoFlight has given a demonstration flight of its inter-city electric air taxi between the southern Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai.

AutoFlight's five seat Prosperity eVTOL aircraft flew the 50km route from Shenzhen to Zhuhai across the Pearl River Delta in just 20 minutes, a journey that would require three hours by car. This marks the first public flight of an eVTOL aircraft on a cross-sea and inter-city route and is a significant step on the road to certification.

The route between Shenzhen and Zhuhai is part of the future air traffic scenario planned by the regional government as it develops its low-altitude economy that will see the opening of thousands of vertiports and hundreds of eVTOL airs routes across the Greater Bay Area in southern China. Low-altitude application scenarios will include passenger transport, tourism, logistics and emergency services. In the short term, plans are in development to achieve 300,000 cargo UAV flights in this region per year.

AutoFlight founder, CEO and co-chairman Tian Yu says: "We are thrilled to showcase AutoFlight's cutting-edge capabilities in the world's first cross-sea and inter-city eVTOL demonstration flight. Working closely together with the local authorities and partners here, and in other jurisdictions around the world, we will continue to drive this revolution to bring safe, efficient, sustainable and affordable eVTOL flight options to cities around the world."

AutoFlight's partner in the region, Heli-Eastern, recently signed a purchase order for 100 Prosperity aircraft, to be used on routes such as Shekou Ferry Port in Shenzhen to the Jiuzhou Ferry Port in Zhuhai, as well as from other transportation hubs in the region.

Tian continues: "We warmly welcome our strong cooperation with Heli-Eastern, and together we are rapidly moving towards fully operational air taxi routes all across the region."

The demonstration flight took place in one of the world's most densely populated areas, home to around 86 million people and in an airspace that borders multiple international airports, including Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Macau. The flight showcased AutoFlight's aviation technology in a highly complex environment, as well as its dedication to safety and regulatory compliance.

The demonstration flight was uncrewed and fully autonomous, with certification for crewed passenger flights anticipated within approximately two years.