EHang, the world’s leading Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technology platform company, announced the successful completion of the first flights of its EH216-S pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Switzerland. The achievement expands EHang’s global flight footprint to 22 countries. The milestone flights, held in Quinto, Ticino, demonstrate the potential of autonomous eVTOL technology to operate across challenging mountainous terrain while supporting future applications in regional logistics and tourism.
The flights were conducted in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), the Municipality of Quinto, and DroneVia, EHang’s strategic project partner in Switzerland. The milestone represents a significant step toward the safe and long-term deployment of AAM in Switzerland, as well as advancing operational validation, airworthiness certification, airspace management, and commercial operations.
Switzerland’s unique geography, characterized by Alpine terrain, rugged valleys, and lake regions, provides conditions for the potential deployment of autonomous electric aviation. EHang intends to focus on demonstration scenarios in which the EH216-S could complement existing mobility networks, with the aim of providing a sustainable and efficient supplement to traditional transportation. Potential applications identified by EHang include passenger transportation, eco-tourism, regional logistics, and emergency response missions.
Following the successful flights, EHang and its Swiss partners intend to progressively work with regulatory authorities and local stakeholders to evaluate future commercial deployment opportunities while promoting infrastructure integration.
The EH216-S is EHang’s flagship pilotless human-carrying eVTOL aircraft, designed for autonomous flight and short- to medium-distance aerial transportation. EHang describes itself as the world’s first publicly listed AAM company and the first to obtain Type Certification (TC), Production Certificate (PC), and Standard Airworthiness Certificate (AC) from CAAC for a pilotless human-carrying eVTOL. Its eco-friendly propulsion and pilotless architecture are designed for missions requiring safe, efficient, and accessible air mobility.
Mr. Paolo Franchini, Chief Executive Officer of DroneVia, stated, “For the first time in Switzerland, attendees were able to witness the flights of EH216-S, one of the most advanced eVTOL aircraft. Technologies that seemed like distant visions until just a few years ago are now a reality, opening up entirely new prospects for transporting people and goods, logistics, tourism, and public services in the Alpine region.”
Mr. Norman Gobbi, President of the Council of State of the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland, and Director of the Department of Institutions, remarked, “Drones capable of transporting goods and people are, in fact, creating new opportunities for mobility in Alpine areas, supporting businesses on mountain pastures, and solving logistical challenges in hard-to-reach areas. We must have the courage to embrace and try out new solutions in our Alpine valleys, which can help improve accessibility across our mountain areas.”
Ms. Victoria Jing Xiang, Chief Operating Officer of EHang Europe and Latin America, commented, “Today’s flights of EH216-S in Quinto marks an important milestone for pilotless AAM in Switzerland. We believe this sustainable technology expands advanced mobility options—enhancing regional connectivity, supporting eco-tourism, and overcoming challenging Alpine terrains to complement traditional transportation. Looking ahead, EHang is committed to deepening the collaboration with local authorities and our Swiss partners, working hand in hand to safely integrate autonomous flight into the national mobility ecosystem, bringing us closer to our vision of making safe, efficient and sustainable air mobility accessible to everyone.”
