EHang: “CAAC Accepts Autonomous Air Operator Certificate Application, First Batch of Ten EH216‑S Delivered to Xishan Tourism”
EHang continues to release positive news and this last week is no different. First off, is an announcement that the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has formally accepted the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) applications submitted by Guangdong EHang General Aviation, the company’s subsidiary specialising in UAM operation services alongside Heyi Aviation, a joint venture company in Hefei, reports a press release.
The release explains, “This marks the commencement of the review process for the applicants’ business licence and operational qualification for pilotless passenger-carrying aerial vehicles, with consensus reached on review procedures, subjects and frameworks. The CAAC has established a specialised review team to move forward with this.”
It continues, “This milestone is paving the way for the establishment of the world’s first commercial operation standard system for autonomous passenger-carrying eVTOLs, which will lay a solid foundation for the commercial operation of EHang’s EH216‑S.”
And adds, “In addition to EHang General Aviation and Heyi Aviation, EHang’s partners in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Taiyuan, and Wuxi are also actively preparing for AOC applications, with the aim to accelerate the launch of EH216‑S commercial operations and low-altitude economy demonstration projects in local cities.”
The AOC cannot directly follow the existing standards in civil aviation field, but instead, requires innovation and improvement based on current regulations to establish a new and applicable standard.
In March, the CAAC issued a Consultation Notice on the Application and Issuance of Operator Certificate under the Civil Aviation Regulations Part 92, aiming to ensure a smooth implementation of the Rules on the Safety Management of Civil Unmanned Aircraft (CCAR-92).
It clarifies the AOC application procedures and requirements, standardises the scope and key points of operational safety assessments, and refines operational management requirements. This will provide a reference basis for the world’s first commercial operation regulatory system for autonomous passenger-carrying eVTOLs.

Huazhi Hu
Huazhi Hu, Founder, Chairman and CEO of EHang, commented, “To enter into AOC certification, we are pleased to have received recognition from the CAAC and are one step closer to realising our goal of the commercial operation of unmanned passenger-carrying aerial vehicles, representing the final step for urban air mobility to enter the consumer market.”
He continued, “We look forward to the issuance of the world’s first commercial operation standard and the first AOC for a pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL, which will make the low-altitude economy accessible to the public.”
Recently, Song Zhiyong, CAAC Administrator, stated that China’s low-altitude economy is entering a new phase of rapid growth. The regulator is to prioritise five key areas of focus including:-
: Construction of unmanned aerial vehicle demonstration zones.
: Development of airworthiness certification capabilities.
: Certification of AOC, planning and construction of airport facilities.
: Establishment of a low-altitude flight service support system.

Attendees witness two units of EH216‑S pilotless eVTOL taking off simultaneously with four passengers onboard
The second announcement during the last week is that EHang has delivered an initial batch of ten EH216‑S eVTOLs to Taiyuan Xishan Ecological Tourism Investment Construction.
Tao Wei, Member of the Standing Committee of Shanxi Provincial Committee and Secretary of Taiyuan Municipal Committee, along with other government officials and leading public members, attended the inaugural flight ceremony, seen as a milestone for the development of Shanxi’s low-altitude economy.
The ceremony took place at the Paddy Field Park in Taiyuan, where two EH216‑S eVTOL aircraft took off simultaneously with four passengers onboard for an aerial view of the fields. The flights showcased the potential of autonomous eVTOLs in providing aerial sightseeing services in Taiyuan.
During the event, EHang also showcased its VT-30 long-range autonomous passenger-carrying eVTOL; the EH216‑F for firefighting use; and the EH216‑L for logistics, demonstrating the company’s product range for the low-altitude economy.
Jicheng Yang, Member of the Standing Committee of Taiyuan Municipal Committee and Executive Vice Mayor, remarked, “The low-altitude economy not only represents a new economic force, but has vast development prospects, where applications are continually expanding.”
He continued, “Taiyuan is a national unmanned aerial vehicle test zone that will enhance policy support, form essential guarantees and innovation capabilities, while promoting the integration of technological innovation and the low-altitude economy.”

Tao Wei, Member of the Standing Committee of Shanxi Provincial Committee and Secretary of Taiyuan Municipal Committee, discusses with Zhao Wang, COO of EHang, air mobility solutions concerning the EH216‑S and VT-30 pilotless eVTOLs
Meanwhile, Shanxi is an important hub for development of the general aviation industry, and its Provincial Government issued the Measures to Accelerate the Development of the Low-Altitude Economy and the Construction of General Aviation Demonstration Province in May. These measures facilitate regular low-altitude flights, subsidise short-range logistics and low-altitude tourism, and accelerate the development of general aviation infrastructure and operational service capabilities.
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(Images: EHang)
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