A five-seater electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft flew between Shekou Port in Shenzhen, and Zhuhai’s Jiuzhou Port, in a successful unmanned trial flight on Tuesday, according to reports.
Shenzhen’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced that the 155-kilometre journey took just 20 minutes in the aircraft. In a car, the trip can take two hours or even longer, depending on traffic conditions.
The aircraft is the Shengshilong, made by Shanghai-based Fengfei Aviation Technology. It has a maximum range of 250 kilometres, a maximum takeoff weight of 2,000 kilograms, and can travel at up to 200 kilometres per hour.
[See more: Shenzhen is home to China’s first passenger drone demonstration centre]
No details regarding the possible commercial operation of the route were announced.
Shenzhen is emerging as a hub for China’s “low-altitude economy,” which includes eVTOL aircraft. These are expected to one day be able to perform the likes of package deliveries, air-taxiing services and sightseeing trips.
In January, the city unveiled China’s first urban air mobility (UAM) demonstration centre.
