Big news in the skies! The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has granted the world's first Air Operation Certificate for a remotely operated aircraft system to two trailblazing urban aerial mobility operators. This marks the official launch of the "passenger era" for China’s low-altitude economy.
The EH216-S eVTOL is a game changer – it’s the world's first and China's only fully certified passenger-carrying autonomous aircraft, holding a Type Certificate, a Standard Airworthiness Certificate, and a Production Certificate. With over 60,000 safe flights under its belt, it is set to revolutionize urban air commuting, sightseeing tours, and logistics services in cities like Guangzhou in Guangdong Province and Hefei in Anhui Province.
Experts are buzzing about the low-altitude economy, an emerging ecosystem in airspace below 1,000 meters (and sometimes up to 3,000 meters), which is poised to become a major growth engine by 2035. Local strategies in Beijing, Shanghai, and the Yangtze River Delta emphasize innovation in general aviation and digital infrastructure. The future of these skies is bright – ready for takeoff? 🚀
Reference(s):
China issues first Operation Certificate for passenger eVTOLs
cgtn.com
