Shanghai (ZXZC)- On July 1, EHang, an urban air mobility (UAM) technology platform company, announced the signing of a strategic cooperation memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China Southern Airlines General Aviation Company Limited ("CSGAC"), a strategic emerging industry unit under China Southern Airlines, according to a post on EHang's WeChat account. This partnership will focus on the operation and comprehensive support of EHang's unmanned eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft, aiming to foster new business models in the low-altitude economy.

The two parties plan to first establish demonstration sites for low-altitude tours using the EH216-S eVTOL at Zhuhai's famous tourist attractions, such as Zhuhai Jiuzhou Airport and Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. These sites will offer regular low-altitude flight services and experiences. Additionally, they will actively explore various application scenarios for low-altitude UAV services, including inter-island logistics, emergency transportation, and medical evacuation around the Zhuhai islands.

EHang stated that both parties would leverage their respective strengths and resources to jointly provide comprehensive support for low-altitude flight services. This includes training the operational team, building take-off and landing infrastructure, establishing flight service platforms, and setting operational and maintenance standards. Together, they aim to lead the cooperative operation of unmanned eVTOLs.

EHang's EH216-S unmanned aerial vehicle completes flight over Zhuhai Grand Theatre; photo credit: EHang

The low-altitude economy has been gaining traction in recent years, anticipated to create new consumption scenarios like low-altitude sightseeing, low-altitude travel, aerial logistics, and low-altitude emergency rescue. According to the "China Low-Altitude Economy Development Research Report (2024)" by CCID Consulting, China's low-altitude economy's scale reached 505.95 billion yuan in 2023, with the eVTOL industry nearing 1 billion yuan. By 2026, the low-altitude economy is expected to surpass 1 trillion yuan, reaching 1,064.46 billion yuan, becoming a new engine for economic growth.

Notably, EHang has independently developed the EH216-S, which has obtained three airworthiness certificates: type certificate, standard airworthiness certificate, and production certificate, leading the way in commercialization.

It's worth mentioning that on June 25, EHang announced it had received full payment for the first batch of 30 EH216-S unmanned aerial vehicles from the Wencheng County Transportation Development Group Co., Ltd., with 27 units already delivered. On June 22, the EH216-S completed its first manned flight in Wencheng county, Wenzhou city officially launching the "Low-Altitude Wenzhou" cultural tourism initiative.