EHang EH216-S completed first public flight in Hong Kong, advancing "Regulatory Sandbox X" project with HKSAR government

EHang EH216-S, a pilotless human-carrying eVTOL aircraft successfully completed its first public flight at Hong Kong Cyberport. The flight marked the first public demonstration since the first phase of validation flights began in mid-August under the HKSAR Government’s Low-Altitude Economy “Regulatory Sandbox X” Trial Project. It also represents a significant milestone in the development of a three-dimensional low-altitude transportation network and the validation of regular operations across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

At the event, Mr. Simon Chan, Chairman of Hong Kong Cyberport, and The Hon Michael Wong delivered remarks, congratulating the successful completion of the first public flight and highlighting the strategic significance of pilotless human-carrying aviation technology to Hong Kong’s development of new quality productive forces and smart city initiatives.

Zhao Wang, Chief Operating Officer of EHang, commented: "The first public flight of the EH216-S under the Project marks an important validation under the sandbox approach and further demonstrates the maturity of our technology standards and safety systems. The sandbox approach provides a practical pathway for validating emerging aircraft and establishing regulatory frameworks—providing real-world flight data generated in a safe and controlled environment to support regulatory assessment. EHang provides not only safe and reliable aircraft, but also integrated set of capabilities spanning technology standards, safety systems, and operational expertise. Our team’s experience in flight planning, regulatory compliance, and safety assurance has been instrumental in supporting the efficient implementation of this Project. For markets that have yet to establish regulatory frameworks for pilotless aircraft, the sandbox approach offers a replicable model for introducing pilotless aviation. Building on this sandbox model and our Global Fast Track Program, EHang will continue to expand across Asia and other global markets and steadily advance the commercialization and deployment of pilotless human-carrying eVTOL operations."

During the demonstration, EH216-S took off smoothly from the Cyberport waterfront vertiport, performing vertical take-off and landing, low-altitude cruise, and hover maneuvers along pre-programmed routes, demonstrating stable flight performance and autonomous flight control capabilities. From August 28 to 30, the EH216-S will continue to conduct multiple public flight sessions at Cyberport to further validate and demonstrate system reliability and safety performance of pilotless eVTOL aircraft under regular, high-frequency operational scenarios. EHang is working closely with Kwoon Chung Smart Mobility Company Limited and Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited to advance commercialization preparations under the Project in a rigorous and orderly manner.

As the world's first pilotless human-carrying eVTOL aircraft to receive the Type Certificate, Production Certificate and Standard Airworthiness Certificate from CAAC, EHang is leveraging Hong Kong as a key gateway to accelerate the global expansion of its commercial deployment. In the next phase, the Project will leverage the safe and controlled testing environment of Regulatory Sandbox X to conduct systematic validation flights and accumulate substantial real-world operational data and experience. These insights will help inform the development and refinement of forward-looking regulatory frameworks and operational standards for pilotless eVTOL operations in Hong Kong and other markets, with the goal of making safe, efficient, and green air mobility accessible to people around the world.

Michael Wong, Deputy Financial Secretary and Head of the Working Group on Developing Low Altitude Economy, commented: “Today’s inaugural trial flight of unconventional aircraft marks an important milestone in the development of Hong Kong’s low-altitude economy. We are grateful to Kwoon Chung, EHang and Cyberport teams for bringing this aircraft to Hong Kong. Building on the successful experience of the Low-altitude Economy Regulatory Sandbox launched in March last year, the Government has subsequently introduced ‘Regulatory Sandbox X’ to test more complex applications. The first batch of 33 pilot projects has been undergoing tests in phases since the first half of this year, including four non-conventional aircraft projects. The Government is also studying dedicated legislation for non-conventional aircraft, with drafting work targeted for completion in 2027. The National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly sets out the goal of promoting the healthy and orderly development of the low-altitude economy. The HKSAR Government is taking proactive steps to support this national development, positioning Hong Kong as a hub for innovative low-altitude applications in the Asia-Pacific region, and continuing to leverage Hong Kong’s strengths to contribute to our country’s needs.”

Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, stated: “The National 15th Five-Year Plan highlights the need to foster emerging industries such as the LAE, leveraging the LAE to lead the development of a more diversified digital and intelligent economy. Under the guidance of the HKSAR Government’s focus on developing the LAE, Cyberport actively supports the initiative as the venue partner for the Regulatory Sandbox, continuously enhancing low‑altitude flight support facilities and environments, supporting diversified application testing, and accumulating substantial operational data to accelerate technology translation and regularised applications. We look forward to joining hands with the Government and industry partners, connecting over 20 Cyberport companies focused on drone applications and LAE development, to foster a vibrant ecosystem of R&D and applications, attract innovation forces from Hong Kong and abroad, and help build Hong Kong into an international hub for innovative low-altitude applications.”

Timothy Wong, Executive Director of Kwoon Chung Bus, said: “Kwoon Chung Bus is honoured to join hands with Cyberport and EHang to advance the commercialisation of LAE in Hong Kong. As a pioneer in local public transport operations, KC Smart Mobility is not only a promoter of eVTOL operations, but also a builder of the ‘Smart Land‑Air Intermodal’ ecosystem. We are actively advancing multiple autonomous driving projects in Hong Kong by integrating ground autonomous fleets with low-altitude aerial routes, we aspire to create a one‑stop 3D travel experience of ‘ground connection and direct air access’ for Hong Kong citizens and visitors, fully supporting Hong Kong’s development into an international smart mobility model city.”