Sources: China’s Autonomous Passenger Drone Technology

 China’s Autonomous Passenger Drone Technology

1. Global Times - "China issues first operation certificates for autonomous passenger drones"
   • Link: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1331193.shtml
   • Published: March 30, 2025
   • Details: Reports on the CAAC issuing the first Operation Certificates to EHang Holdings and Hefei Hey Airlines on March 30, 2025, marking the start of commercial autonomous passenger drone operations in China.
2. Xinhua News - "China issues 1st batch of passenger drone operation certificates"
   • Link: http://english.news.cn/20250330/1st-batch-passenger-drone-certificates (Note: Exact URL may vary; search for the article title on Xinhua’s site)
   • Published: March 29, 2025
   • Details: Confirms the issuance of operation certificates to EHang Holdings (Guangdong) and Hefei Hey Airlines, enabling paid passenger services like low-altitude tours in Guangzhou and Hefei.
3. Electrek - "Chinese eVTOL operator EHang nabs approval for paid commercial flight operations"
   • Link: https://electrek.co/2025/03/31/chinese-evtol-operator-ehang-nabs-approval-for-paid-commercial-flight-operations/
   • Published: March 31, 2025
   • Details: Provides specifics on EHang’s EH216-S, including its capability for low-altitude tours and plans for urban commuting expansion, with over 60,000 safe flights logged.
4. South China Morning Post - "Flying taxis prepare for lift-off in China as first companies gain key licence"
   • Link: https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3257653/flying-taxis-prepare-lift-china-first-companies-gain-key-licence
   • Published: March 31, 2025
   • Details: Highlights the regulatory milestone and notes EHang’s prior certifications (Type, Production, and Airworthiness), with a focus on low-altitude tourism as the initial use case.
5. Reuters - "China trials cargo drones, air taxis as low-altitude economy gains speed"
   • Link: https://www.reuters.com/technology/china-trials-cargo-drones-air-taxis-low-altitude-economy-gains-speed-2024-08-12/
   • Published: August 12, 2024
   • Details: Discusses broader drone developments, including Sichuan Tengden’s 2-ton cargo drone and the projected 2-trillion-yuan low-altitude economy by 2030.
6. Aviation International News - "China's Low-Altitude Economy Is a Gradual Path to eVTOL Air Taxi Services"
   • Link: https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2025-02-20/chinas-low-altitude-economy-gradual-path-evtol-air-taxi-services
   • Published: February 20, 2025
   • Details: Notes China’s regulatory flexibility compared to Western agencies and mentions AutoFlight’s five-seater Prosperity eVTOL demonstrations.

U.S. eVTOL and Flying Taxi Developments

7. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - "FAA Releases eVTOL Integration Roadmap"
   • Link: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-releases-roadmap-evtol-integration (Search for the July 2023 roadmap release on the FAA site)
   • Published: July 2023
   • Details: Outlines the FAA’s cautious approach, starting with piloted eVTOLs and no immediate plans for autonomous passenger drones.
8. TechCrunch - "Feds clear way for EVTOL startups to bring flying vehicles to U.S. airspace"
   • Link: https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/22/feds-clear-way-for-evtol-startups-to-bring-flying-vehicles-to-u-s-airspace/
   • Published: October 22, 2024
   • Details: Covers the FAA’s final ruling on powered-lift vehicles, tailored for eVTOLs like those from Joby Aviation, with commercial launches planned for 2025-2026.
9. AP News - "Flying air taxis move closer to US takeoff with issuing of FAA rule"
   • Link: https://apnews.com/article/flying-air-taxis-electric-takeoff-faa-rule-approval-evtol
   • Published: October 22, 2024
   • Details: Highlights Joby Aviation’s progress with piloted eVTOLs and the FAA’s focus on ensuring U.S. leadership in clean flight technology.
10. FLYING Magazine - "EHang Completes More Passenger-Carrying eVTOL Flights in China"
    • Link: https://www.flyingmag.com/urban-air-mobility/ehang-completes-more-passenger-carrying-evtol-flights-in-china/
    • Published: July 29, 2024
    • Details: Compares EHang’s lead (with all three certifications by April 2024) to U.S. competitors like Joby and Archer, still awaiting full approvals.

Additional Context and Economic Insights

11. Morgan Stanley - "Urban Air Mobility: A Trillion-Dollar Opportunity"
    • Link: https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/urban-air-mobility (Search for the latest report; exact date varies)
    • Published: Ongoing research (circa 2023-2024)
    • Details: Estimates the global flying taxi market could reach $1 trillion, underscoring the economic stakes for both China and the U.S.
12. CnEVPost - "China to have 100,000 eVTOLs serving families and travelers by 2030, industry body says"
    • Link: https://cnevpost.com/2024/11/27/china-100000-evtols-by-2030-industry-body/
    • Published: November 27, 2024
    • Details: Quotes the China Low Altitude Economic Alliance predicting 100,000 eVTOLs by 2030, reflecting China’s ambitious scaling plans.
13. Interesting Engineering - "China’s low-altitude economy fuels the rise of eVTOL startups"
    • Link: https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/chinas-low-altitude-economy-fuels-evtol-startups
    • Published: November 14, 2024
    • Details: Discusses China’s regulatory support (e.g., airspace below 390-425 feet opened in December 2023) and contrasts it with U.S. regulatory hurdles.