EHang’s EH216-S pilotless eVTOL aircraft has completed debut passenger flights in Thailand at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in central Bangkok, expanding its flight footprint to an 18th country. The company is also planning to conduct more flight tests and launch commercial flight operations by 2025.

With the support of Thailand’s CAA (CAAT) and Ministry of Transport, EHang was invited to participate in the Thailand Drone Exhibition & Symposium 2024 where it conducted passenger flights for three consecutive days on a CAAT Demonstration Flight Permit. Phasu Manipanti, CEO of Sky Image Tech, EHang’s partner in Thailand and Sorasit Thongjeen, first officer, flight operations of Bangkok Airways were among the passengers. The event was witnessed by Chaiyatham Promsorn, permanent secretary of Ministry of Transport of Thailand; ICAO director Tao Ma; Shijun Yin, vice president of Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the former chief engineer of the CAAC; CAAT director Suttipong Kongpool; and CAAT deputy director Kajonpat Maklin.

The VTOL EH216-S will be able to conduct point-to-point air transportation in city centres, effectively alleviating Thailand’s issues with ground traffic congestion. Additionally, Thailand is a country with many islands and abundant tourism resources. Traditional water transportation methods are time-consuming, and the application of EH216-S can provide efficient and accessible island-hopping air transportation services.

The CAAT plans to open flight tests for certified eVTOLs across Thailand and, in 2025, will target the opening of commercial flight operations for certified eVTOLs in areas such as Phuket and Koh Samui.

EHang CFO Conor Yang says: “The debut passenger flights of our EH216-S pilotless eVTOL in Thailand is a key milestone in EHang’s ongoing international development, and that is a strong boost in promoting the transformation of global advanced urban air mobility. We aim to apply our pilotless eVTOL products and solutions in the southeast Asian market. In the future, with the strong support of the CAAT, we will cooperate with our local partners to formulate a model for regular UAM operations in Thailand, contributing to the development of the urban air mobility market in southeast Asia and worldwide.”