EHang, a prominent urban air mobility technology platform company announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Guangdong EHang General Aviation and its joint venture Hefei HeYi Aviation have been granted the first batch of Air Operator Certificates (OC) by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The certificates authorize the operation of pilotless human-carrying aerial vehicles, marking a significant regulatory milestone. This development establishes a framework for low-altitude tourism, urban sightseeing and other commercial flight services in designated operational areas such as Guangzhou and Hefei. Authorities view this certification as a key development in integrating eVTOL technology into regulated airspace.
The issue of the OC follows previous certification achievements by EHang, which include the world’s first type certificate, standard airworthiness certificate and production certificate for its EH216-S eVTOL aircraft. These regulatory milestones provide assurance regarding the safety and technical compliance of the aircraft. By securing the full suite of certifications, EHang now becomes the first company in the eVTOL sector to meet the complete set of requirements for civil human-carrying flight operations in China. The certificates underline the government’s commitment to advancing safe regulated aerial mobility.
Looking forward, EHang plans to expand its commercial operations by collaborating with local partners to establish additional low-altitude transportation centers across China. The company intends to support further applications for Air Operator Certificates for pilotless aerial vehicles in new regions. This measured expansion aims to enhance public access to low-altitude flight services while adhering to strict regulatory standards. The CAAC’s approval is expected to set a new benchmark for urban air mobility, paving the way for future developments in civil human-carrying flight services across the country.
