Passenger drone center launched in Shenzhen

China's tech hub Shenzhen has launched the nation's first urban air mobility demonstration center, marking a substantial leap forward for aerial sightseeing services.

The UAM center features a dedicated electric vertical takeoff and landing pad designed for the EH216-S, a passenger drone made by Guangzhou-based passenger drone maker EHang.

Covering approximately 4,600 square meters, the center includes hangars, a command-and-control center, a passenger waiting area, a service center and essential amenities.

It was built by Bao'an Transportation Group with support from Shenzhen's Bao'an district government.

At the center's launch event last week, an EH216-S successfully flew over Bao'an's landmark OH Bay recreation and retail park.

To continue the UAM center's development, Bao'an Transportation Group will work with EHang to establish an operational demonstration model for passenger-carrying aerial vehicles and contribute to building a low-altitude economy ecosystem in Shenzhen.

Pengcheng Wings General Aviation, which is invested in by EHang, will carry out low-altitude UAM operations as a flight service operator in the city.

In recent years, Shenzhen has been at the forefront of implementing favorable policies for the development of the low-altitude economy, a strategic emerging industry in China. Efforts range from relaxing aerospace restrictions to providing infrastructure support and site operations for enterprises to conduct trial services. Multi-party efforts will be dedicated to developing a benchmark for UAM operations, facilitating the establishment of Shenzhen's low-altitude economy.

"We are delighted to collaborate with industry-leading company EHang to jointly promote the commercial operation of low-altitude economy applications in Shenzhen. Starting from the UAM Operation Demonstration Center at OH Bay, we look forward to carrying out services with the EH216-S and pioneering low-altitude operational demonstration cases that will extend to the entire Shenzhen region and even the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," said Xu Guanshen, chairman of Pengcheng Wings.

Fang Xin, chief operating officer of EHang, said, "We are thrilled that, with the support of the government, our customer and partner, our collaboration has led to significant progress in Bao'an, which includes the successful launch of the first UAM Operation Demonstration Center in Shenzhen.

"The UAM operations and services make up an elaborate system that requires comprehensive preparatory groundwork. Following the major milestones of obtaining the first-of-its-kind Type Certificate and Standard Airworthiness Certificate for EH216-S, establishing the UAM operation site and infrastructure is another key achievement. With our extensive experience in trial operations, EHang is poised to take the lead in developing operational benchmarks for UAM. This will further drive the growth of the low-altitude economy industry in Shenzhen as well as in the Greater Bay Area."

Yi Yang contributed to this story.