Chinese air taxi company EHang Holdings has successfully conducted its first passenger flights in Thailand, marking a significant milestone before launching commercial operations in the country. The test flights using the EH216-S eVTOL—a fully electric and pilotless air taxi—took place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in central Bangkok, with approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
EHang plans to continue flight tests in Thailand and aims to launch commercial services in Phuket and Koh Samui by 2025. As part of its mission to expand urban air mobility (UAM), the company carried out multiple passenger flights, including notable participants Phasu Manipanti, CEO of Sky Image Tech—EHang’s partner in Thailand—and Sorasit Thongjeen, Flight Operations First Officer at Bangkok Airways.
Monor Yang, CFO of EHang, emphasized:
“The successful debut passenger flights of our EH216-S in Thailand mark a crucial step in our global expansion strategy, providing a strong boost to the transformation of advanced urban air mobility worldwide. We aim to bring our pilotless eVTOL products and solutions to the Southeast Asian market. In the future, with the strong support of CAAT, we will collaborate with our local partners to develop a model for regular UAM operations in Thailand, contributing to the advancement of urban air mobility in Southeast Asia and beyond.”
Air Taxi to Reduce Island Travel Time
Traditional water transportation between Thailand’s islands can be time-consuming, whereas EHang’s air taxi aims to offer fast and convenient inter-island travel solutions. EHang recently partnered with the Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) to develop and train personnel for operating and maintaining large-scale urban aerial vehicles. Established by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the Sichuan provincial government, CAFUC specializes in pilot licensing frameworks and regulatory standards for UAV operations. The company has obtained three airworthiness certifications from CAAC for its EH216-S model. To date, EHang and its local partners have conducted over 50,000 flight tests across 17 countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America. Recently, the company successfully tested its air taxi in Brazil, in partnership with Gohobby Future Technologies, and is working with Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency and Airspace Control Department to conduct further test flights.
Expanding Through Global Partnerships
EHang has secured key aviation certifications, including the Type Certificate, Production Certificate, and Standard Airworthiness Certificate for its EH216-S from CAAC. The company recently delivered 10 EH216-S air taxis, each valued at $410,000, to Taiyuan Xishan Ecological Tourism Investment Construction Co. for tourism operations following successful passenger demonstration flights.
Beyond passenger air taxis, EHang has developed specialized aerial vehicles, such as the EH216-F for firefighting and the EH216-L for logistics. The EH216-F, showcased at DriftX in Abu Dhabi, features top-mounted rockets for breaking windows in high-rise fires and a large front nozzle for dispersing fire retardant from an onboard tank.
In Hong Kong, EHang has partnered with KC Smart Mobility Company to introduce eVTOL services in Hong Kong, Macau, and other Chinese cities. Additionally, EHang has signed a deal with China Southern Airlines General Aviation Company to establish operational demonstration sites for low-altitude tourism and flight services at Zhuhai Jiuzhou Airport and Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. These initiatives include exploring pilotless eVTOL applications for inter-island cargo transport, emergency response, and medical rescue services.
In Zhejiang Province, EHang has delivered 27 aerial vehicles to Wencheng County Transportation Development Group as part of a contract to supply 300 air taxis. The company has also operated low-altitude sightseeing flights over Tianding Lake, Baizhangji Falls, and Feiyun Lake Scenic Resort, offering stunning aerial views of the Wencheng region.
Beyond China and Thailand, EHang has expanded its presence to Saudi Arabia, where it conducted autonomous flights in Mecca with support from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, the Ministry of Hajj, and the Ministry of Interior. In Abu Dhabi, EHang recently conducted its first passenger demonstration flight following an unmanned showcase at the DriftX mobility expo.
Fast Charging and Fleet Operations
EHang reports that its air taxis can charge from 30% to 80% in under 10 minutes, optimizing operational efficiency. A recent test in China demonstrated a coordinated takeoff of 12 EH216-S vehicles from an airfield in Hefei, China, showcasing the potential of fleet-based urban air mobility solutions. With these advancements, EHang is emerging as a global pioneer in pilotless air taxis, shaping the future of urban aerial transportation worldwide.
