EHang completes first passenger-carrying eVTOL flights in Indonesia

June 26, 2025
The EH216-S is intended for use in urban transportation, tourism, and emergency response, particularly in regions like Indonesia’s island archipelago, where point-to-point aerial transit can reduce reliance on overburdened roadways and ferries.

Summary points: 

  • EHang Conducts First Passenger eVTOL Flights in Indonesia – EHang’s EH216-S completed its first pilotless human-carrying demonstration flights in Indonesia, supported by local authorities and witnessed by government officials and business leaders.

  • Technical Capabilities of EH216-S Highlighted – The two-seat autonomous aircraft features 16 electric rotors, a range of 30 kilometers, and a top speed of 130 km/h, and is designed for urban transport, tourism, and emergency response.

  • Strategic Step Toward Urban Air Mobility – The flights advance EHang’s global strategy and lay the groundwork for future UAM deployment in Indonesia, especially across its island regions where aerial mobility could reduce congestion and improve connectivity.

GUANGZHOU, China - EHang Holdings Ltd., a Chinese developer of autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, announced that its EH216-S has completed its first pilotless passenger-carrying demonstration flights in Indonesia. The milestone flight marks a key step in advancing urban air mobility (UAM) initiatives in the country.

The EH216-S is a two-seat, autonomous eVTOL aircraft designed for short-range urban and regional transport. It has a flight range of up to 30 kilometers (about 18.6 miles), a top speed of approximately 130 km/h (81 mph), and is powered by 16 electric rotors mounted on eight arms. The aircraft is fully autonomous, requiring no onboard pilot, and is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, eliminating the need for runways.

Prestige Aviation conducted the demonstration, EHang’s local partner, with permission from Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Passengers included Prestige Aviation Executive Chairman Rudy Salim and Raffi Ahmad, the Indonesian President’s Special Envoy. Several government officials were in attendance, including Bambang Soesatyo, former Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly, and Sokhib Al Rokhman, Director of the Directorate of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations.

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"The presence of EHang in Indonesia not only demonstrates the country’s readiness to enter the era of pilotless air mobility, but also opens up significant opportunities for the domestic automotive and aviation industries to innovate and collaborate," Soesatyo said.

The aircraft received the world’s first air operator certificate for a passenger-carrying pilotless eVTOL from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in March 2025. The flight in Indonesia builds on EHang’s 2021 demonstration in Bali and supports efforts to integrate low-altitude aviation into Indonesia’s broader transportation infrastructure.

"This technology can provide a more environmentally friendly air transportation solution and help reduce congestion in major cities in Indonesia," said Ahmad. "I encourage Indonesia’s young generation to actively participate in advancing smart mobility."

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EHang’s Chief Financial Officer Conor Yang said the event marked a significant step in the company’s global expansion. "We look forward to working closely with Indonesian regulators, clients, and partners to promote local certifications and scalable commercial operations."

The EH216-S is intended for use in urban transportation, tourism, and emergency response, particularly in regions like Indonesia’s island archipelago, where point-to-point aerial transit can reduce reliance on overburdened roadways and ferries.

About the Author

Jamie Whitney

Jamie Whitney joined the staff of Military & Aerospace Electronics and Intelligent Aerospace. He brings seven years of print newspaper experience to the aerospace and defense electronics industry.

Whitney oversees editorial content for the Intelligent Aerospace Website, as well as produce news and features for Military & Aerospace Electronics, attend industry events, produce Webcasts, oversee print production of Military & Aerospace Electronics, and expand the Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics franchises with new and innovative content.

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