Taxiing out a low-altitude economy

The 'low-altitude economy' refers to commercial activity in airspace generally below 1,000m, covering drones for deliveries and agriculture, and eVTOLs for sightseeing and short-haul passenger travel. China has prioritized this sector, with Guangdong province aiming to build a world-leading hub by 2026, targeting over 300 billion yuan (RM177 billion) in economic output.

EHang's EH216-S, a two-seat pilotless eVTOL, has secured type, production, and standard airworthiness certificates from China's Civil Aviation Administration. The company and an operating partner were granted approval in March last year to provide commercial passenger services in China, leading to trial operations in Guangzhou and Hefei. Overseas, EHang's immediate focus is Thailand, where a regulatory sandbox program in Bangkok, launched in October last year, is testing the aircraft and operating procedures with plans to expand to tourist destinations.

The experience in Thailand could offer insights for Malaysia, especially for island and coastal connections or areas with limited road access, where eVTOLs might serve as a premium transport option for tourism. However, widespread deployment faces significant obstacles, including establishing regulatory frameworks for airspace, developing infrastructure, ensuring safety, building public confidence, and addressing the aircraft's cost, which is approximately 2.39 million yuan, or about US$330,000.