EHang’s flagship pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL, the EH216-S, has completed its first demonstration flight in downtown Shanghai. This milestone highlighted its safety, eco-friendliness and potential within urban air mobility (UAM) in mega cities. Trial operations of eVTOL sightseeing routes along the Huangpu River at Longhua Airport have also commenced, paving the way for eventual commercial use.

Longhua Airport, Shanghai’s only downtown airport with apron airspace, serves as a hub for low-altitude economic activities, including UAM, tourism and emergency logistics. The demonstration showcased the EH216-S's suitability for urban sightseeing and air taxi operations, reinforcing plans for gradual commercial implementation in Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region.

The debut flight used an aircraft delivered to Hynfar Aviation, a key eVTOL operator in Shanghai and partner of Longhua Airport. Alongside EHang and the New Margin Eastwood Fund, Hynfar Aviation will base operations at Longhua Airport, expanding passenger transport and sightseeing services across the Yangtze River Delta G60 Science and Innovation Corridor. The collaboration aims to drive adoption of air taxi services in major cities.

The Action Plan for High-Quality Development of Shanghai Low-Altitude Economy Industry (2024–2027) targets over RMB50 billion in industry value by 2027. The plan outlines more than 100 low-altitude flight applications, including passenger transport between key transportation hubs and intra-city stops.

Zhao Wang, EHang's chief operating officer, stated: “As the world's first pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL that has obtained a type certificate, production certificate and standard airworthiness certificate from the CAAC, EH216-S's successful debut flight in Shanghai has a great demonstration importance, signifying that large central cities in China are on the verge of entering the era of urban air taxi flight scenarios. With metropolises gradually advancing the development and operations of the low-altitude economy, EHang's pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOLs are poised to become a key driver in UAM transformation.”