Helicopter flight booking platform AirX has agreed to introduce 50 of EHang’s EH216 eVTOL aircraft to its Japan-based network. Announcing what it called preorders for the two-seat, autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV), the Chinese manufacturer said it represents the largest deal it has done so far with a Japanese customer.
AirX was founded in 2015, offering flights in helicopters operated by other companies, using its database and application to identify available aircraft and provide instant pricing. The Tokyo-based company intends to add eVTOL aircraft to its Airos service and has indicated that these could be available in 2025, in time for that year’s World Expo event in Osaka, Japan.
The AirX platform includes more than 100 sightseeing routes in its network and can also offer on-demand charters for point-to-point trips. The company said that it is booking more than 2,220 flights each year and has served more than 15,000 customers.
“The low-altitude transportation and tourism market has great potential and broad prospects,” commented AirX founder and CEO Tezuka Kiwamu. “By leveraging the advantages of autonomous flight technologies and centralized management, the EH 216 AAVs can provide customers with cost-effective aerial sightseeing services, which is why AirX has selected EHang as a partner in the global eVTOL market. We look forward to offering consumers safer and more convenient travel options with the EH216.”
EHang is working to complete the type certification of the EH216. It has not said when it expects to get approval from Japanese regulators for the vehicle, which has a range of around 25 miles.
