China’s low-altitude economy takes to the skies as unmanned passenger drone completes maiden commercial flight demo
- Unmanned passenger drone designed and manufactured by Chinese firm EHang completed its first commercial flight demonstration in Guangzhou on Thursday
- Guangzhou and Shenzhen have released a set of measures and detailed policies to promote the development of the low-altitude economy
An unmanned passenger drone successfully completed its first commercial flight demonstration in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Thursday, marking significant progress in China’s ambitious low-altitude economy push amid intensifying global competition.
Before the flight, the drone had acquired the world’s first type and airworthiness certificate for a pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China for an unmanned passenger drone operation, according to Guangzhou-based aircraft technology company EHang.
“China has made headway globally in the emerging unmanned passenger drone industry,” public relations manager Zoe Li told the Post.
The EH216-S model aircraft, which is designed and manufactured by EHang, has reportedly completed over 42,000 successful flights, and has a top speed of 130km/h (81mph).
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Drone food deliveries take off in China’s tech city, Shenzhen
“[The demonstration] not only sets a significant benchmark for the airworthiness certification of innovative eVTOLs in China and globally, but it also marks a groundbreaking milestone in the commencement of commercial operations for urban air transportation,” added Li.