Here are the key news updates for EHang on April 1, 2025:
## Air Operator Certificates Granted
EHang has received the first Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) for civil passenger-carrying pilotless aerial vehicles from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)[1][3][4]. This certification was granted to:
– EHang’s subsidiary Guangdong EHang General Aviation Co. Ltd.
– EHang’s joint venture Hefei HeYi Aviation Co. Ltd.
## Commercial Operations Approved
The AOCs allow EHang to begin commercial passenger-carrying flights with its EH216-S eVTOL aircraft[1][4]. Specifically:
– Consumers can now purchase tickets for low-altitude tourism and sightseeing flights in Guangzhou and Hefei[4][6].
– Operations are currently limited to daytime flights in normal weather conditions, over sparsely populated areas, and along pre-approved routes[3].
– Maximum altitude is capped at 120 meters (394 feet)[3].
## Significance of the Certification
This marks several important milestones:
– It’s the world’s first AOC granted for pilotless passenger eVTOL aircraft[3][4].
– EHang is now the first eVTOL company to achieve full regulatory certification, including type certificate, airworthiness certificate, production certificate, and operator certificate[1][6].
– It officially launches the era of human-carrying autonomous flights in China’s low-altitude economy[6].
## Future Plans
EHang plans to:
– Gradually expand operations to include urban commuting and other transport services[4].
– Establish additional low-altitude transport hubs in Guangzhou, Hefei, and other Chinese cities[1][6].
– Support local operators in obtaining their own AOCs to accelerate the rollout of urban air mobility services[4][6].
This certification represents a significant step towards the commercialization and widespread adoption of autonomous passenger flights in China’s growing low-altitude economy[1][4].