Southwest China's Sichuan Province is taking the lead in testing manned electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for flights over complex terrain, aiming to cut costs and improve efficiency.
As China accelerates development of its low-altitude economy, tourism is emerging as one of the earliest real-world applications.
In April, a test flight operated by Aerofugia -- a subsidiary of China's EV giant Geely Auto -- was launched on Sichuan's Panda Air Corridor, which links two well-known scenic spots of Ya'an Bifengxia and Wolong Shenshuping.
The drive between the two scenic spots usually takes about four hours, but the aircraft reduces the journey to 45 minutes.
"By designing exclusive low-altitude routes in southwest China, we left visitors enjoy unique aerial views of mountains, canyons and local ecosystems. Combined with panda conservation and geology education, they served as a vivid cultural platform," said Wang Hongxiao, general manager of Xiangyuan General Aviation.
Southwest China's rugged, mountainous terrain presents unique operational challenges, including rapidly changing weather, complex wind conditions, and steep elevation differences. All of these factors pose critical tests for the safety and reliability of low-altitude aircraft.
"Southwest China has an incredibly diverse landscape, towering mountains, deep valleys, major rivers and vast plains. From the air, travelers get a completely different perspective of the region. And with low-altitude flights, people can spend less time on the road and more time enjoying the destination," said Wang Zengwu, deputy general manager of Xiangyuan General Aviation.
Aerofugia is pushing ahead with certification for its eVTOL, a technology widely viewed as a future solution for short-distance regional air mobility.
"We expect to obtain type certification around 2027. When people think of consumer drones, they look to Shenzhen [City]. For industrial drones, they look to [provincial capital] Chengdu. Chengdu has built a strong foundation in aviation manufacturing, engineering and talent development, from commercial aircraft to industrial drones. And with its large consumer market and strong tourism demand, the city also offers ideal conditions for the future commercialization of eVTOL aircraft," said Liang Jiong, Head of Brand of Aerofugia.
Sichuan takes lead in testing manned eVTOL aircraft
