About
The EHang EH216-S is the autonomous, pilotless, two-passenger multirotor electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developed by EHang Holdings of Guangzhou, China. EHang states the EH216-S is the world's first passenger-carrying pilotless eVTOL to have obtained all three Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certifications: Type Certificate, Production Certificate, and Standard Airworthiness Certificate.
In the UAE, the EH216-S completed the UAE's first passenger-carrying pilotless eVTOL demonstration flight on 6 May 2024 at the Emirates Falcons Aviation Club in Al Ali, Abu Dhabi, under approval from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). EHang's UAE programme is partnered with the Multi Level Group (MLG, a subsidiary of Ethmar International Holding) and Wings Logistics Hub, with strategic collaboration from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). Wings Logistics Hub has indicated intent to purchase up to 100 EH216-series aircraft. As of May 2024, EHang's UAE flights are demonstrations under GCAA approval; no commercial passenger service has been launched.
Key facts
Timeline
- 2023-12EHang joins the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) Cluster in Abu Dhabi (led by Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and ADIO) and signs strategic partnership with Wings Logistics Hub. [ehang-ir-2024-04-29]
- 2024-04-25EH216-S completes its first autonomous flight in the UAE at the inaugural DRIFTx event in Abu Dhabi — first flight footprint in the UAE. [ehang-ir-2024-04-29]
- 2024-04EHang signs strategic collaboration with Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Multi Level Group (MLG) to drive eVTOL development in the UAE. [ehang-ir-2024-05-06]
- 2024-05-06EH216-S completes the UAE's first passenger-carrying pilotless eVTOL demonstration flight at the Emirates Falcons Aviation Club, Al Ali, Abu Dhabi, with GCAA approval. Mohamed Al Dhaheri (board member, MLG) flew aboard. EH216-F (firefighting) and EH216-L (logistics) variants also performed UAE debut flights. [ehang-ir-2024-05-06]
Practical info
Regulatory status
EHang's EH216-S demonstration flights in the UAE were conducted under approval from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE. The aircraft itself holds Type Certificate, Production Certificate and Standard Airworthiness Certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) — described by EHang as the world's first such complete certification set for a passenger-carrying pilotless eVTOL aircraft. EHang founder Huazhi Hu has stated that EHang is working to foster collaboration between the GCAA and CAAC to advance toward commercial pilotless flights in the UAE; no UAE Type Certification or commercial Air Operator Certificate for the EH216-S has been publicly confirmed.
Current progress
As of the May 2024 demonstration campaign, EHang has completed multiple autonomous demonstration flights in the UAE under GCAA approval — first at DRIFTx on 25 April 2024 and then with passenger demonstrations on 6 May 2024 at the Emirates Falcons Aviation Club. EHang has stated it is engaged in the design and establishment of eVTOL vertiports in the UAE, and Wings Logistics Hub has stated intent to purchase up to 100 EH216-series aircraft. EHang has also said it is exploring a regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi to cover manufacturing, flight operations, R&D, training and MRO. No commercial UAE passenger service date has been published.
Connected entities
Aircraft
Frequently asked questions
What is the EHang EH216-S in the UAE?
When did the EH216-S first fly in the UAE?
How fast and how far can the EHang EH216-S fly?
Is the EHang EH216-S pilotless?
Where in Abu Dhabi did the EHang EH216-S fly?
Is the EHang EH216-S in commercial service in the UAE?
Who are EHang's UAE partners for the EH216-S?
Sources
- [ehang-ir-2024-04-29] EHang IR — 'EHang Showcases EH216 Series and VT-30 Pilotless eVTOL Aircraft at DRIFTx, EH216-S Completes Debut Flight in Abu Dhabi' (29 Apr 2024) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-01
- [ehang-ir-2024-05-06] EHang IR — 'EH216-S Completes UAE's First Passenger-Carrying Demo Flight, Accompanied by Successful Demo Flights of EH216-L and EH216-F Pilotless eVTOLs in Abu Dhabi' (6 May 2024) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-01
- [globaltimes-2024-05-07] Global Times — 'China's EHang completes passenger-carrying eVTOL demonstration flight in UAE' (7 May 2024) official-news · accessed 2026-05-01
- [cnevpost-2024-05-07] CnEVPost — 'Chinese eVTOL maker Ehang completes passenger-carrying demo flight in UAE' (7 May 2024) primary · accessed 2026-05-01
Verification flags
- EHang's UAE-specific Type Certification or Air Operator Certificate status by GCAA not published as of May 2024 — only demo flight approval confirmed.
- Number of EH216-S aircraft in the UAE not published; demo aircraft staged for Abu Dhabi events.
- Aircraft-level specifications (130 km/h, 25 min, 30 km, 620 kg MTOW) sourced from Global Times and CnEVPost reporting EHang-published figures and CAAC certificate text — these match EHang's IR product descriptions but the EHang IR press releases reviewed do not always restate all numbers.
- Wikimedia Commons direct URL for EH216-S not verified within session — hero_image set to null.
- No public announcement of UAE commercial passenger service date by EHang as of session date.