EHang and China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology forge strategic partnership to advance high-quality development of next-generation aviation technologies

EHang Holdings Limited, a global leader in advanced air mobility (AAM) technologies, today announced the signing of a strategic cooperation framework agreement with the China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology (CAST).

The partnership aims to deepen cooperation in resource sharing, joint innovation, key project collaboration, breakthrough research and development, standards system development and high-level talent cultivation. Through this strategic collaboration, both parties will accelerate the commercialization of the low-altitude economy and jointly promote the high-quality development of civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technologies, enhancing China's global competitiveness in aviation science and technology.

The signing ceremony took place on November 10 at Luogang Park in Hefei. Yuan Fei, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hefei Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor of Hefei, Li Yu, President of CAST, and Zhao Wang, Chief Operating Officer of EHang, attended and witnessed the signing. Chen Guangcheng, Vice President of CAST, and Longxuan Hu, Senior Vice President of EHang and Chairman of EHang General Aviation, signed the strategic cooperation framework agreement on behalf of both parties.

Other attendees included Zhang Zhi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Hefei Municipal Government; Cheng Yu, Executive Director of the International Advanced Technology Application Promotion Center (Hefei); Zhang Qingchun, Director of the Civil Aviation Regulations and Standardization Research Institute of CAST; Li Xiaona, Vice President and East China Regional General Manager of EHang; and He Tianxing, Vice President of Marketing at EHang.

Prior to the ceremony, the CAST delegation visited the Hefei UAM Operation Center and experienced a demonstration flight of the EH216-S pilotless human-carrying eVTOL. Both parties also held in-depth discussions on the commercial operation of new aviation technologies, laying a solid foundation for future cooperation.

As global UAV and eVTOL technologies continue to advance rapidly, the low-altitude economy is entering a stage of accelerated growth. However, challenges remain in areas such as regulatory frameworks and operational ecosystem optimization. As a comprehensive research institute directly under the CAAC, CAST possesses strong scientific research capabilities in aviation safety, operations, and development. As a pioneer in the low-altitude economy, EHang leads in aircraft R&D, airworthiness certification, and commercial operations. By integrating resources across the entire value chain—from R&D, manufacturing, to operations and standardization—EHang and CAST will enhance the low-altitude operational ecosystem, drive technological innovation, and inject new momentum into the sustainable industry growth.

According to the agreement, EHang and CAST will collaborate across six key areas: flight safety, operational support, route management, ecosystem development, technological cooperation, and policy and standards formulation. Both parties will leverage their respective strengths to strengthen cooperation in new aviation system R&D, airworthiness compliance verification, operational standard establishment, operator training systems, commercial compliance capability building, vertiport layout, flight procedure and route design, and the establishment of integrated low-altitude management platforms. This collaboration aims to enhance technological innovation, improve the low-altitude ecosystem, and promote the safe and stable operation of next-generation aircraft.

Furthermore, both sides will integrate domestic and international aviation technology resources, share technical and market information, and promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements. Leveraging their expertise in policy research and regulatory practices, they will jointly support the formulation and improvement of industry regulations and standards.

Li Yu, President of CAST, stated: “EHang, as a leading enterprise in the low-altitude economy, is at the forefront of research, manufacturing, and operations of large pilotless human-carrying aircraft. The signing of this strategic cooperation framework agreement represents a concrete step to implement the spirit of the 20th Central Committee's Fourth Plenary Session and the national '15th Five-Year Plan' initiatives. This partnership will enable both parties to leverage their strengths and deepen collaboration in key areas—including airworthiness certification, regulatory standards development, flight service assurance, and technology commercialization—jointly promoting the high-quality development of the low-altitude economy.”

Zhao Wang, Chief Operating Officer of EHang, commented: “This partnership with CAST marks an important strategic step for EHang in innovation and commercial operations. CAST's deep technical expertise in aviation safety, operations, and development provides crucial insights into addressing compliance, safety, and efficiency challenges in scaled aircraft operations. By combining EHang's innovation capabilities with CAST's scientific strength and industry resources, we aim to accelerate the R&D and commercialization of civil UAV and eVTOL technologies, enhance safety and operational efficiency, and contribute Chinese innovation and strength to the global aviation industry.”