China Southern Airlines General Aviation Company (CSGAC), a general aviation service provider and strategic emerging business unit of China Southern Airlines Company, is to establish demonstration sites at the Zhuhai Jiuzhou airport and the Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, among other popular tourist destinations in Zhuhai, for EHang's EH216-S aircraft, with the aim of launching routine low-altitude flight services and experiential activities. It will also look to provide comprehensive support in terms of operational team training, construction of vertiport infrastructure, development of a flight service platform and the drawing up of maintenance standards.

In due course, CSGAC and EHang will explore the development of diverse use cases for pilotless eVTOL aircraft on islands near Zhuhai, including inter-island cargo transportation, emergency response and medical rescue transportation services.

CSGAC chairman Erbao Li comments: “As a leading general aviation company in China, CSGAC is actively exploring expansion into the emerging low-altitude industry. This cooperation will create innovative archetypes for the low-altitude economy, unlocking new growth opportunities for the general aviation industry and driving the high-quality advancement of the low-altitude economy industry chain in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.”

EHang COO Zhao Wang adds: “We are thrilled to enter into this strategic partnership with CSGAC. As a frontrunner in the eVTOL industry, we believe that the safe operations of pilotless eVTOL aircraft is crucial to the industry's development. Together with CSGAC, we will establish demonstration sites for pilotless eVTOL operations in the Greater Bay Area and spearhead safe, sustainable and efficient low-altitude operations.”

CSGAC's extensive core business portfolio includes offshore oil and gas platform flight services, power line patrol flights, emergency rescue, helicopter escrow and public services. It is also actively developing the low-altitude economy with new consumer-oriented services such as general aviation helicopter training and maintenance, short-haul transportation, aerial sightseeing and unmanned aerial vehicle services. CSGAC holds full industry qualifications under China Civil Aviation Regulations Parts 91, 135, 147 and 61, and operates a diverse fleet of aircraft. Its primary operational bases are located in Zhuhai and Zhanjiang in Guangdong, Sanya in Hainan, and Xingcheng in Liaoning, providing nationwide service coverage.