China Approves Commercial Passenger Drone Operations

China has approved the commercial operation of autonomous passenger drones, marking a significant advancement in the low-altitude economy. The Civil Aviation Administration of China has issued air operator certificates to EHang Holdings and Hefei Hey Airlines, allowing these companies to begin urban sightseeing tours with pilotless aerial vehicles. EHang's EH216-S model, a two-seater electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) drone, is set to offer air taxi services in cities like Guangzhou and Hefei. This development positions China as a leader in the autonomous aerial vehicle industry, with plans to expand into areas like biomanufacturing, quantum computing, and AI. The launch of these services is expected to stimulate economic growth and innovation in urban transport. This move also aligns with global trends, as similar plans are underway in other regions, such as Abu Dhabi.