EHang Completes First Unmanned EH216-S Flight in Switzerland, Expanding Global Demonstration Footprint to 22 Countries

EHang has announced that its EH216-S electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft has successfully completed its first unmanned flight in Switzerland, extending the company's global flight demonstration footprint to 22 countries.

Milestone Flight: Taking on Alpine Terrain

The demonstration flight took place on July 7, 2026, in Quinto, Canton Ticino, Switzerland. It was carried out in collaboration with Switzerland's Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), the Municipality of Quinto, and local partner DroneVia. The flight specifically highlighted the EH216-S's capability to operate in complex Alpine environments, including rugged mountain valleys.

Switzerland's distinctive geography—encompassing steep mountain ranges, deep valleys, and expansive lakes—presents a rich range of potential use cases for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). EHang plans to explore applications in the region including passenger transport, eco-tourism, regional logistics, and emergency rescue services, with the aim of complementing existing transportation networks in areas that are difficult to access.

EH216-S: The Triple-Certified Autonomous Passenger eVTOL

The EH216-S is EHang's flagship autonomous passenger eVTOL. It has received a Type Certificate, Production Certificate, and Standard Airworthiness Certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), making it the world's first aircraft of its kind to hold all three certifications. The aircraft features autonomous flight technology and an electric propulsion system, and is designed for short- to medium-range missions.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Paolo Franchini, CEO of DroneVia, said that witnessing the technology in flight was a significant moment, and emphasized its potential for logistics, tourism, and public services across the Alpine region.

Norman Gobbi, President of the State Council of Canton Ticino, underscored the role such systems could play in improving accessibility to remote mountain communities.

Victoria Jing Xiang, Chief Operating Officer for EHang's Europe and Latin America region, described the flight as an important step toward integrating autonomous air mobility into Switzerland's broader transportation ecosystem.

Next Steps: Toward Commercial Deployment

The demonstration marks a significant milestone in EHang's path toward operational validation, certification, and eventual commercial deployment in Switzerland. EHang and its partners plan to continue working with Swiss regulatory authorities to advance infrastructure integration and evaluate the feasibility of future commercial operations.

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