A global race to launch electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) passenger services is intensifying across Asia, North America, and the Middle East, according to Lao Dong. As of early October 2026, no country has introduced regular paid passenger air taxi operations, as manufacturers and regulators work through final licensing hurdles, infrastructure requirements, and public acceptance.
China has advanced furthest legally in unmanned advanced air mobility. Since securing an operating certificate in March 2025, operating units of Chinese eVTOL developer EHang have conducted more than 3,000 flights with the EH216-S autonomous aircraft. In Hefei, ticket booking software has been initiated for four aircraft scheduled to operate 14 daily flights at 299 yuan per ticket, pending commercial passenger clearance from the Civil Aviation Administration of China following an unrelated aviation accident in June.
In contrast to the autonomous models pursued in China and Thailand, the United Arab Emirates has prioritized piloted air taxis. In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed an agreement with California-based Joby Aviation providing a six-year exclusive operating window for air taxi services. Joby is currently navigating the fifth and final certification phase with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), after certification delays prevented both Joby and rival Archer from meeting their targeted 2025 commercial debuts.
Regional testing frameworks are simultaneously broadening in Southeast Asia. On September 28, the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology and Hung Viet Investment and Technology Joint Stock Company signed a cooperation pact to propose a regulatory sandbox for EHang's EH216-S at Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, accompanied by an unmanned traffic management (UTM) system and operations center. Thailand's aviation authority has also supported consecutive trial flights in Bangkok since 2025.
Sources
- Laodong.vn · 2026-10-06
