EHang Holdings completed the first public flight of its pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Hong Kong on Thursday, marking a milestone under the city’s low-altitude economy initiative.
The demonstration involved the EH216-S model performing vertical take-off and landing, low-altitude cruise, and hover maneuvers along pre-programmed routes at the Hong Kong Cyberport. The flights are part of validation sessions running from Thursday through Sunday to assess system reliability and safety performance.
The trials are conducted under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s Low-Altitude Economy Regulatory Sandbox X Trial Project, which has supported 33 pilot projects since the first half of the year, including four involving non-conventional aircraft. Regulatory development for such aircraft remains in progress, with dedicated legislation targeted for completion by 2027.
Michael Wong, Deputy Financial Secretary and Head of the Working Group on Developing Low Altitude Economy, described the flight as an important milestone for Hong Kong’s low-altitude economy. The initiative also involves collaboration with Kwoon Chung Smart Mobility and Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company on commercialization preparations.
China’s Civil Aviation Administration previously issued the EH216-S with a Type Certificate, Production Certificate, and Standard Airworthiness Certificate, enabling the public demonstration.
