FLYING TAXIS
CHINA APPROVES PILOTLESS AIR TAXI FOR PAYING PASSENGERS, MARKING GLOBAL FIRST
Chinese company EHang Holdings has secured a landmark approval to carry paying passengers in its autonomous electric flying vehicles, a significant step in the burgeoning “low altitude economy.” The Civil Aviation Administration of China granted Operator Certificates to EHang, allowing them to offer commercial flights in Guangzhou and Hefei. Unlike traditional airlines, EHang’s EH216-S
vehicles are electric
vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, eliminating the need for runways. Crucially, these vehicles operate without a pilot, a key differentiator from planned US launches.
The EH216-S can carry two passen- gers and boasts a rapid battery charging time of under 10 minutes for a 30% -80% charge. EHang plans to
expand its commercial
operations across China, establishing more
“low-altitude
transportation operation centres.” “The approval to carry paying
passengers is a major step in the electric aerial revolution and a first step in the global growth of the low altitude economy,” officials said. EHang is also expanding inter- nationally. Notably, they recently conducted a demonstration flight in Benidorm, Spain, as part of the European Union U-Space project. This flight, involving the EH216-S and 12 drones, was managed by Spain’s Air Navigation Service Provider Enaire and operated under European Union Aviation Safety Agency regulations. The flight aimed to demonstrate unmanned electric aerial vehicles in an urban environment.
UK INVESTS OVER £20 MILLION TO PROPEL DRONE AND FLYING TAXI INDUSTRY
The UK government has announced over £20 million in funding to accelerate the development and commercialisation of drone services and flying taxis, aiming to revolutionise aviation technology. Aviation Minister Mike Kane stated: “I want the UK to have the most advanced aviation technology ecosystem in the world.” The funding, part
of the
government’s Plan for Change, seeks to remove barriers to growth and maximise opportunities for improved public services while reducing carbon emissions. It will support various sectors, including healthcare for the NHS, law enforcement, infrastructure inspection, and delivery services. A key focus is streamlining regulatory processes through
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collaboration between the DfT, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and the new Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Science Minister, Lord
Vallance,
highlighted that: “These regulatory reforms for drones – requiring all aircraft to share their location – will make drone operations safer and therefore speed up approvals.” The CAA will receive £16.5 million to develop regulations for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations and the integration of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, or flying taxis. This includes creating “drone pathways” and consulting on uncrewed traffic management (UTM) systems.
The Future Flight Challenge will receive up to £5 million from DfT and Innovate UK to support the industry in commercialising these technologies. Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports and Co-Chair of the Future of Flight industry group, said: “This additional government funding is a vital boost for the UK’s leadership in next-generation aviation.” The initiative also aims to simplify regulations for emergency services, enable two-year airspace changes for drone operations, and streamline the drone operational application process. Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, stated: “Flying taxis will transform the way we move — making it quicker, quieter and cleaner to travel.”
MAY 2025 PHTM
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