China has greenlit its first autonomous flying taxis for commercial passenger use, a global milestone.
According to the South China Morning Post, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) granted air operator certificates to EHang Holdings and Hefei Hey Airlines on April 1, 2025. Citic Securities says the Nasdaq-listed duo can now deploy unmanned aerial vehicles for urban sightseeing tours and other services following approvals for type, production, and airworthiness certificates.
China has officially entered the era of "flying taxis".
2 Chinese companies have obtained the commercial operation certificate for autonomous passenger drones from CAAC.
China is at the forefront of the world's 4th Industrial Revolution. pic.twitter.com/POFiLTs3I1
— Li Zexin (@XH_Lee23) March 31, 2025“We see low-altitude tourism as the kickoff for this industry,” the Citic report noted. “EHang’s urban tours could spark rapid growth.” Beijing champions this “low-altitude economy” think drones, blimps, and flying cars as a fresh engine for economic expansion alongside AI, quantum tech, and 6G. “It’s a vital driver for China’s high-speed growth,” said Cheng Bolin, vice president of the China Information Association’s low-altitude unit.
The EH216-S: China’s Flying Taxi Star
EHang’s EH216-S, unveiled in 2018, became the world’s first mass-produced electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle after snagging a production certificate in April 2024, per LiveScience.
China clears runway for flying taxis, granting first-ever approval for companies to operate autonomous passenger drones
Would you hop in one for your commute? pic.twitter.com/IDiabEgpaW
— RT (@RT_com) March 31, 2025The pilotless two-seater boasts 16 propellers, a carbon fibre frame, a 100 mph cruise speed, and a 10,000-foot ceiling. It’s set for air taxis, aerial tourism, airport runs, and island hops. Hurun predicts China’s low-altitude sector could hit 1.5 trillion yuan ($211 billion) by 2025 and balloon to 2.5 trillion by 2035.
China’s flying taxi race is on. EHang and Feihang Aviation lead local startups, while automakers Xpeng and Geely join the fray. Global players like Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer are eyeing the prize, too. “With policies piling up, competition will heat up,” Hurun warns. As flying taxis take off, China aims to soar in this sky-high market.
