On March 28, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued the country’s first-ever Passenger Civil Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Operation Certificates (OC) to two companies in Guangdong and Anhui. This milestone marks the official beginning of China’s “passenger era” in the low-altitude economy.
The two recipients of the OC are EHang’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Guangdong EHang General Aviation Co., Ltd., and its joint venture operating company in Hefei, Hefei Heying Aviation Co., Ltd.
The Passenger Civil UAS OC ensures that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) meet safety and operational standards. Certified companies are now authorized to conduct commercial passenger flights within designated areas, offering paid passenger transport services and expanding consumer applications within the low-altitude economy.
This breakthrough paves the way for the growth of low-altitude tourism and aviation-related experiences. Residents and tourists in Guangzhou and Hefei will soon be able to purchase tickets for urban sightseeing flights and other immersive aerial experiences.
EHang’s self-developed EH216-S passenger-grade autonomous aerial vehicle has already obtained its Type Certificate, Production Certificate, and Standard Airworthiness Certificate, accumulating over 64,000 safe flight operations. With this newly issued OC, the deployment of passenger UAVs in low-altitude sightseeing, air mobility, and tourism is set to accelerate, shaping the future of China’s aerial transportation landscape.
