EHang Holdings Limited today announced that it has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with China Southern Airlines General Aviation Company Limited, a major general aviation service provider and strategic emerging business unit of China Southern Airlines Company Limited. The partnership will center on the flight operations, comprehensive support, and other aspects of EHang’s pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) to jointly cultivate innovative solutions for low-altitude economy.
“Upon CSGAC’s extensive experience in general aviation safe operation services and infrastructure support capabilities and EHang’s cutting-edge hardware and software solutions, including pilotless eVTOL aircraft and command-and-control systems, the two parties plan to establish EH216-S operation demonstration sites for low-altitude tourism at the Zhuhai Jiuzhou Airport and the Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, among other popular tourist destinations in Zhuhai, with the aim to launch routine low-altitude flight services and experiential activities,” said EHang in a press statement.
“The collaboration will also explore the development of diverse use cases for pilotless eVTOL aircraft in islands near Zhuhai, including inter-island cargo transportation, emergency response, and medical rescue transportation services.
“CSGAC and EHang will leverage their respective strengths to provide comprehensive support for low-altitude flight services. This includes operational team training, vertiport infrastructure construction, flight service platform development, and maintenance standard establishment. This cooperation aims to pioneer innovative solutions for pilotless eVTOL collaborative operations.
According to the press statement, CSGAC’s core business portfolio includes offshore oil and gas platform flight services, power line patrol flights, emergency rescue, helicopter escrow, and public services. CSGAC is also actively developing the low-altitude economy with new consumer-oriented services such as general aviation helicopter training and maintenance, short-haul transportation, aerial sightseeing, and unmanned aerial vehicle services. CSGAC holds full industry qualifications under China Civil Aviation Regulations Parts 91, 135, 147, and 61, and operate a diverse fleet of aircraft. With an impeccable safety record, CSGAC boasts the longest safety streak in China’s general aviation sector. CSGAC’s primary operational bases are located in Zhuhai and Zhanjiang in Guangdong, Sanya in Hainan, and Xingcheng in Liaoning, providing nationwide service coverage.
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(Image: Fire flame exploding from an artificial volcano in Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Zhuhai, Shutterstock)