On March 28, 2025, Guangdong EHang General Aviation Co., Ltd. ("EHang General Aviation") and Hefei Heyi Aviation Co., Ltd. ("Heyi Aviation") and its joint venture company in Hefei, Hefei HeYi Aviation Co., Ltd. (“HeYi Aviation”), have been granted the first batch of Air Operator Certificates (“OC”) for civil human-carrying pilotless aerial vehicles by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (“CAAC”). This has attracted widespread attention and discussions. To address public concerns, we provide a detailed interpretation below.

1. What is an Air Operator Certificate (OC), and what does the issuance of the first batch of OCs for civil human-carrying pilotless aerial vehicles mean?

This Air Operator Certificate (OC) confirms that the human-carrying aircraft EH216-S meets the technical, management, and safety standards related to operations set by the CAAC. Operators holding an OC are authorized to legally conduct commercial operations, offering paid human-carrying services and developing low-altitude commercial use cases.

This milestone signifies the official commencement of China’s human-carrying flight era in the low-altitude economy. Consumers in Guangzhou and Hefei will be able to purchase tickets for aerial sightseeing, urban tours, and diverse commercial human-carrying flight experiences. The issuance of the first batch of OCs marks a significant milestone in the low-altitude economy, unlocking new growth potential and fostering the expansion of the industry and consumer adoption.

2. The operation category on the OC is marked as "Human-carrying" instead of "Passenger Transportation". What is the difference?

According to the "Regulations on General Aviation Business Licensing" issued by CAAC:

Ø "Passenger Transportation" refers to airline operators using CAAC-compliant civil aircraft to engage in commercial flight services for transporting passengers.

Ø "Human-carrying" refers to airline operators using CAAC-compliant civil aircraft to carry individuals other than crew members and personnel essential to flight operations, engaging in commercial flight services that are not classified as passenger carrying.

The difference lies in the term "transportation". In aviation operations, an activity can be classified as "transportation" only if it meets the following key characteristics:

a) Regular flights that cannot be arbitrarily canceled;

b) Tickets are sold publicly through platforms accessible to the general public;

c) Flights must follow published public routes or shared air routes.

In contrast, human-carrying (non-transportation) flights have the following characteristics:

a) Non-scheduled flights that can be adjusted or canceled based on conditions (e.g., weather, passenger flow, event arrangements);

b) Tickets are sold through designated sales channels operated by the service provider, such as at scenic spot entrances or nearby takeoff and landing sites;

c) Routes are often specific and privately used by the operators.

3. Can operators with a "Human-carrying" OC conduct commercial flights?

The initial phase of EH216-S operations is primarily focused on air tourism, urban sightseeing, and flight experiences, all of which align with the " Human-carrying" operational category. Operators possessing an OC can carry out commercial flight operations and generate revenues as specified in their certification.

4. The OC categorizes operations as "Hovering Flight". Does this mean only takeoff and landing flights are permitted?

The first batch of OCs for human-carrying civil pilotless aerial vehicles have been issued under the CAAC's Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operational Safety Management Regulations (CCAR-92). Initially, these certifications cover flights that take off and land at the same location (Point A-to-A routes) for human-carrying tourism and flight experiences. However, this does not restrict operations to mere takeoff and landing.

Hovering flight includes hovering, circling, and return flights near the designated takeoff and landing zones. The two certified operators are prepared to offer paid human-carrying tourism and flight experience services along designated routes. Simultaneously, in coordination with the CAAC, relevant strategies are being formulated to synchronously apply for human-carrying sightseeing and experience flights from Point A to Point B. Building on the obtained OCs, the process will gradually be promoted to higher level of flight operations. This is also a step-by-step strategy jointly adopted by the CAAC and the operators (OC-holding companies) to jointly promote the safe, healthy, and orderly development of low-altitude economic application scenarios and commercial operations.

5. Given that EH216-S commercial operations currently focus on tourism, does this mean urban air taxi services are not possible for now?

The issuance of the first batch of OCs for human-carrying civil pilotless aerial vehicles represents a pioneering aviation operation system developed through collaboration between CAAC, EHang, and the two certified operators. This process involved overcoming numerous technical challenges, setting multiple world records, and establishing a landmark in the global development of intelligent, pilotless, and digitalized civil aviation.

Adhering to the principle of "safety first and progressive risk management," EHang has initially focused on commercial operations with careful consideration of public safety responsibilities. Drawing from traditional aircraft commercialization strategies (e.g., staged limitations on routes, schedules, and operational guarantees before expanding the service scope), EHang and OC-certified operators will continue to ensure safe and stable operations. As operations progress, urban commuting and other scenarios will be gradually explored to realize air taxi flight services. The goal is achieving fully autonomous low-altitude urban air mobility commercial operations.

The human-carrying pilotless aviation and the low-altitude economy, as an emerging industry, is still in its developmental stage and remains a national strategic focus in China's aviation sector. There are still many challenges to be addressed and improvements to be made, requiring industry-wide collaborations. We will continue to share our insights on technological innovation, commercial operations, and ecosystem development to advance this new era of low-altitude economy.