Ehang, a Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer, has inaugurated its first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) center in Japan, located in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, as part of its efforts to expand operations in the region.
The new facility, announced by Ehang, will serve as a local demonstration flight site, providing ground infrastructure and maintenance services for Ehang’s eVTOLs, including the EH216-S model.
During a demonstration flight at the site, the EH216-S showcased its capabilities in aerial sightseeing, marking its first flight in Japan’s Kanto region. The establishment of the UAM center is a result of Ehang’s strategic partnership with AirX Inc, a Japanese air traffic digital platform company.
The facility, situated at the former Ibaraki prefectural government helicopter command and dispatch center, features a hangar capable of accommodating approximately 25 EH216-S aircraft. Additionally, its vertical takeoff and landing pad covers around 30,000 square meters, accommodating both helicopters and eVTOL aircraft.
Ehang has been actively expanding its global presence, with the EH216-S eVTOL already flying in 12 cities across Japan. The EH216-S is designed for various scenarios, including air sightseeing, transportation, air logistics, and emergency response.
John Matthews, founder and CEO of AirX, expressed plans to utilize the EH216-S eVTOL for air sightseeing services and announced intentions to establish additional UAM centers in Tokyo.
In October 2023, Ehang announced that the EH216-S had received the type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), allowing for commercial manned operations. Furthermore, Ehang disclosed on February 2 that the official guide price of the EH216-S in China would be RMB 2.39 million ($330,000), effective from April 1, 2024.
