EHang Holdings’ EH216-S pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft has completed debut passenger flights in Thailand at the renowned Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in central Bangkok.
The flights mark a new milestone for expanding EHang’s eVTOL flight footprint to the 18th country globally. With the permission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), the company is also planning to conduct flight tests on EH216-S in Thailand.
EHang is also planning to launch commercial flight operations in various regions such as Phuket and Koh Samui by 2025, to collaboratively open Thailand’s low-altitude airspace and air mobility market.
With the leadership of the CAAT and support of the Ministry of Transport of Thailand, EHang was invited to participate in the Thailand Drone Exhibition & Symposium 2024. Here, EHang conducted passenger flights for three consecutive days with the Demonstration Flight Permit issued by the CAAT.
The EH216-S is capable of vertical take-off and landing, eliminating the need for traditional airport runways, and can conduct point-to-point air transportation in city centers, effectively alleviating Thailand’s issues with ground traffic congestion.
Additionally, Thailand is a country with many islands and abundant tourism resources. Traditional water transportation methods are time-consuming, and the application of EH216-S can provide efficient and accessible island-hopping air transportation services, meeting demands for transportation solutions in the tourism industry.
The CAAT plans to open flight tests for certified eVTOLs in various locations in Thailand, and in 2025, will target to open commercial flight operations for certified eVTOLs in certain areas, such as Phuket and Koh Samui, to jointly promote the nation’s opening of low-altitude airspace and air mobility market.
Mr. Phasu Manipanti, CEO of Sky Image Tech, EHang’s partner in Thailand, Mr. Sorasit Thongjeen, First Officer, Flight Operations of Bangkok Airways among other passengers took a ride on the EH216-S.
This ground-breaking flight event was also witnessed by the distinguished guests including Mr. Chaiyatham Promsorn, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Transport of Thailand; Mr. Tao Ma, Director of the International Civil Aviation Organization; Mr. Shijun Yin, Vice President of Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the former Chief Engineer of the Civil Aviation Administration of China; Mr. Suttipong Kongpool, Director of the CAAT and Mr. Kajonpat Maklin, Deputy Director of the CAAT.
Mr. Conor Yang, CFO of EHang, stated, “The debut passenger flights of our EH216-S pilotless eVTOL in Thailand is a key milestone in EHang’s ongoing international development and that is a strong boost in promoting the transformation of global advanced urban air mobility.
“We aim to apply our pilotless eVTOL products and solutions in the Southeast Asian market. In the future, with the strong support of the CAAT, we will cooperate with our local partners to formulate a model for regular UAM operations in Thailand, contributing to the development of the urban air mobility market in Southeast Asia and worldwide.”
