EHang and China Southern Airlines announce pilotless eVTOL collaboration
GUANGZHOU, China - EHang announced it had signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China Southern Airlines General Aviation Company Limited (CSGAC), a major general aviation service provider. Both companies are located in Guangzhou, China. The partnership aims to focus on flight operations, support, and other aspects of EHang's pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology to develop solutions for the low-altitude economy.
The collaboration will leverage CSGAC's experience in general aviation services and infrastructure, along with EHang's eVTOL aircraft and command-and-control systems. The two companies plan to set up EH216-S operation demonstration sites for low-altitude tourism at Zhuhai Jiuzhou Airport and Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, as well as other tourist locations in Zhuhai. These sites aim to launch regular low-altitude flight services and experiential activities.
The partnership will also explore various use cases for eVTOL aircraft in the islands near Zhuhai, including inter-island cargo transportation, emergency response, and medical rescue services.
Related: EHang announces its first commercial eVTOL passenger flight
CSGAC and EHang will combine their strengths to support low-altitude flight services. This includes training operational teams, constructing vertiport infrastructure, developing flight service platforms, and establishing maintenance standards. The cooperation seeks to innovate pilotless eVTOL operations.
Mr. Erbao Li, Chairman of CSGAC, commented, "This cooperation will create innovative models for the low-altitude economy, unlocking new growth opportunities for the general aviation industry and driving the high-quality advancement of the low-altitude economy in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area."
Mr. Zhao Wang, Chief Operating Officer of EHang, stated, "We are thrilled to enter into this strategic partnership with CSGAC. Together, we will establish demonstration sites for pilotless eVTOL operations in the Greater Bay Area and lead safe, sustainable, and efficient low-altitude operations."
