Air Taxi Company Launches Hub for Pilotless Flying Vehicles

Chinese flying taxi company EHang Holdings this week launched an urban air mobility (UAM) hub as a key infrastructure component for the operation of EHang EH216-S pilotless electric aerial vehicle (EAV).

The new hub, at Luogang Central Park in Hefei, Anhui Province, is the second vertiport established in Luogang Park after the Urban Air Mobility Operations Center was introduced earlier this year.

The hub is planned as a demonstration project for the commercial operations of EAVs in eastern China.

“EHang is accelerating the commercial operations of EH216-S and continuously to partner with local governments across multiple regions to build exemplary models of low-altitude economic operations,” said Conor Yang, chief financial officer of EHang at the opening event ceremony. “As a strategic partner of Hefei City, EHang has completed a debut commercial flight demonstration in Hefei and assisted in the construction of two vertiports. 

“The newly completed Hefei UAM Hub stands as an outstanding testament to the collaborative innovation between EHang and its partners in the low-altitude operational ecosystem, reflecting the strong and critical support from both Anhui and Hefei governments for low-altitude economic development.”

The UAM hub, at 21,000 square feet, is called Ascend and is designed to accommodate up to 20 flying vehicles. It has separate zones for ticketing, passenger waiting, boarding, a command-and-control center and charging and maintenance areas.

Related:Flying Taxi Company Delivers Pilotless Vehicles for Tourism

The hub is designed to support air shuttle service, aerial tourism and cross-district transportation in the city's main areas. 

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EHang formed a strategic partnership with the Hefei Municipal Government in 2023 and the UAM Hub will be operated by Hefei Heyi Aviation.

EHang has obtained three airworthiness certificates from the CAAC for its pilotless eVTOL.

EHang and its local partners have carried out more than 50,000 flights in 17 countries in Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America, according to the company.

EHang has received its Type Certificate, Production Certificate and Standard Certificate of Airworthiness for the EH216-S from the CAAC.

The company recently delivered 10 of its $410,000 eVTOLs to the Taiyuan Xishan Ecological Tourism Investment Construction Co. for local tourism, following a demonstration flying with passengers on board. 

The flying vehicles can carry two passengers and fly autonomously.