Low-altitude flights to soon take off in Guangdong, offering affordable aerial commute

Tsinghua University Guangzhou Alumni Association's Aerospace and Intelligent Manufacturing Committee held its inaugural meeting in Guangzhou on February 16. At the meeting, Wang Zhao, COO of Guangzhou-based drone maker EHang Intelligent Technology, revealed that the company is applying for the Operational Certificate (OC) and expects to begin commercial operations soon, allowing passengers to book tickets online for eVTOL flights.

(Photo: Nanfang Plus)

EHang has already obtained the world's first manned eVTOL product certifications, including the Type Certificate (TC), Airworthiness Certificate (AC), and Production Certificate (PC), and is on track to receive the world's first OC for a driverless manned aircraft.

"The EHang 216, with a 6-meter diameter, is ideal for private ownership and city flights," Wang stated. "We aim to integrate low-altitude aircraft into urban transportation networks."

(Photo: EHang Intelligent Technology)

Compared to traditional helicopters, eVTOLs offer lower costs, greater versatility, and higher safety, making them suitable for public use. According to Wang, with over 85% of urban residents traveling within a 30 km radius daily, the 30-minute city air travel presents a significant market for low-altitude aviation. He believes that the cost of low-altitude flights is expected to drop to the price of a taxi ride.

(Photo: Nanfang Plus)

By 2030, China's low-altitude economy is projected to reach 2.5 trillion yuan, with Guangdong's share reaching 300 billion yuan by 2026. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) leads the country in low-altitude economic development, housing 30% of related enterprises. Wang also noted the GBA's strong supply chain, which includes numerous manufacturers and service providers, driving rapid growth in the sector.