This historic event also launched the regular trial operations of eVTOL sightseeing routes along the Huangpu River, based at Longhua Airport in Shanghai. These trials are laying the groundwork for future commercial urban air taxi services in the bustling metropolis and the broader Yangtze River Delta region.

Longhua Airport: A Strategic Base for Urban Air Mobility
As the only airport in Shanghai’s downtown area with apron airspace, Longhua Airport plays a pivotal role in the city’s low-altitude economic activities. Home to the East China General Aviation Service Center under the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the airport provides an ideal environment for aerial mobility, tourism, emergency response, and logistics operations.

The EH216-S demonstration flight not only underscored its suitability for commercial urban sightseeing and travel but also set the stage for regular air taxi operations across the region. EHang’s customer, Shanghai Hynfar Aviation Co., a trailblazer in eVTOL operations, facilitated the flight, solidifying its partnership with Longhua Airport.

A Vision for the Future of Low-Altitude Economy
EHang, Hynfar Aviation, and the New Margin Eastwood Fund are collaborating to establish Longhua Airport as a hub for diverse eVTOL applications, including passenger transportation and urban sightseeing. These initiatives will extend across Shanghai and into cities along the Yangtze River Delta G60 Science and Innovation Corridor, encompassing nine major urban centres.

Shanghai’s “Action Plan for High-Quality Development of the Low-Altitude Economy Industry (2024–2027)” provides the framework for this transformation. With a goal of exceeding RMB 50 billion in core industry scale by 2027, the plan envisions Shanghai as a global leader in low-altitude innovation and services. Key objectives include 100+ low-altitude commercial applications across logistics, emergency rescue, cultural tourism, and passenger transport by 2027, alongside pilot projects connecting the city’s major transportation hubs.

The Path to a Smarter UAM Ecosystem
Zhao Wang, Chief Operating Officer of EHang, emphasised the significance of this achievement:
“As the world’s first pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL with comprehensive certifications from the CAAC, the EH216-S’s successful debut flight in Shanghai marks a pivotal step for urban air taxis in large cities. With urban centres advancing their low-altitude economies, our eVTOLs are positioned to drive this transformation.”

Zhao outlined EHang’s strategy to leverage its pioneering status, partnering with Hynfar Aviation and utilising the resources of the New Margin Eastwood Fund to explore diversified applications. The goal is to create an integrated and efficient UAM ecosystem, ultimately making air taxi services a routine part of urban life.

The EH216-S’s debut signifies the dawn of a new era for urban air mobility, with Shanghai leading the charge towards a future where air taxis redefine metropolitan transportation.