World’s First Successful Test Flight of Electric Air Taxi Between Two Cities in China

China has accomplished the world’s first test flight of an electric flying taxi, marking a revolutionary step in transforming inter-city transportation.

The demonstration, organized by AutoFlight, the manufacturer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, took place between the cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai in southern China at 5 p.m. local time on February 27.

The aircraft, named “Shengshi Long,” took off from Shekou Cruise Homeport (Shenzhen), ascended to an altitude of nearly 100 meters, and proceeded towards its destination. Within minutes, it disappeared from the onlookers’ sight.

Throughout the flight, a helicopter accompanied and continuously filmed the aircraft, showcasing spectacular scenes of various integrated aircraft types during the journey. Approximately 20 minutes later, it successfully landed at Zhuhai Port.

The event was a collaborative effort involving eVTOL companies, non-profit organizations, government regulatory bodies, and civil aviation authorities, showcasing the successful integration of eVTOL technology.

Often referred to as “flying taxis,” eVTOLs operate without the need for traditional airports and runways. Similar to helicopters, they can take off vertically and transition to fixed-wing flight mode for high-speed travel in the air.

This mode of transportation is entirely electric, environmentally friendly, quiet, and comfortable. Passengers will be able to conveniently book trips through a mobile app, enabling swift movement within cities and inter-provincial journeys. The Shengshi Long is an eVTOL model developed independently by Fengfei Aviation, with a maximum range of 250 km, a cruising speed of 200 km/h, and the capacity to carry up to 5 people.