Image credit: Aerofugia
Aerofugia, a subsidiary of Chinese automotive giant Geely, has become the latest entrant into China’s certified eVTOL operator circle after securing the coveted CCAR-135 operation certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
The certification, granted by the CAAC’s Southwest Regional Administration, allows Aerofugia to conduct commercial flights with its six-seater AE200 eVTOL aircraft.
This development follows in the wake of a similar milestone achieved by Guangzhou-based EHang, which recently became the first eVTOL manufacturer globally to receive full regulatory approval for commercial passenger services. While EHang pioneered commercial certification for uncrewed air taxis, Aerofugia’s approval opens the door for piloted eVTOL services.
According to Aerofugia, the CCAR-135 certification positions it as the first Chinese eVTOL host manufacturer cleared to conduct long-term, short-distance aerial sightseeing and irregular passenger transport services with one to 9-seat aircraft. The company sees this as a reference model for existing general aviation operators aiming to integrate eVTOLs into low-altitude tourism and intra-city logistics.
“In the future, it can provide a reference path for existing general aviation operators to quickly use eVTOL to carry out low-altitude sightseeing and low-altitude transportation,” the company said in a statement.
The AE200, Aerofugia’s flagship eVTOL aircraft, is a six-seat vehicle with a range of 200 km. Developed for both urban and regional travel, it reflects the company’s ambition to blend automotive-grade manufacturing with aerospace innovation.
According to the company, obtaining the CCAR-135 certificate requires extensive regulatory vetting, including the assessment of operating procedures, safety protocols, staffing, maintenance systems, and financial health.
Aerofugia’s entry into the certified eVTOL space strengthens a growing national project to unlock the low-altitude economy, with Chinese regulators and manufacturers pushing to advance both autonomous and crewed aerial mobility.
