China’s Pilotless Air Taxi EHang 216S Takes Test Flight in North Jakarta
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id – China’s autonomous air taxi EHang 216S completed a demonstration flight at Pantai Indah Kapuk 2 (PIK 2) in North Jakarta on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, as part of Indonesia’s ongoing exploration into advanced air mobility (AAM).
The test was organized by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (Ditjen Hubud) under the Ministry of Transportation, in collaboration with local partner PT Prestige Aviasi. According to officials, the flight aimed to increase pilot experience and flight hours while continuing the risk-managed evaluation of the aircraft that began in 2021.
“The entire process is being assessed with strict risk management to ensure safety. We’re taking an experimental approach to facilitate technology learning and prepare operators,” said Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F Laisa in a statement released Friday, June 27.
Since 2021, Prestige Aviasi has worked with Ditjen Hubud through simulation training, unmanned flight trials, and limited internal demonstrations. The agency has issued an operational approval specifically for the demonstration at PIK 2.
National Regulatory Framework in Progress
Lukman emphasized that further studies are still needed to fully evaluate airworthiness, vertiport infrastructure, and environmental impacts before AAM can be approved for commercial use in Indonesia.
“The Ministry is committed to supporting the use of AAM technology in the future while prioritizing aviation safety and compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards,” Lukman said. He added that a national regulatory framework is under development to support phased and controlled implementation.
Indonesia is also coordinating with the Civil Aviation Administrator of China to enhance cooperation in emerging technologies, particularly autonomous flight.
Fully Autonomous Aircraft with Quick-Swap Batteries
The EHang 216S is an autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) developed by Guangzhou-based EHang Holdings Limited. Designed for short-range urban transport, the aircraft is fully pilotless, equipped with 16 rotors mounted on eight arms in a contra-rotating blade configuration.
Measuring 5.61 meters in length and width, and 1.76 meters in height, the EHang 216S weighs about 360 kg and can carry a payload of up to 260 kg—sufficient for two passengers and light luggage.
It has a maximum speed of 130 km/h, a cruising speed of 100 km/h, and a range of up to 35 km depending on load and weather conditions. Flight durations average between 21 and 25 minutes.
The aircraft is powered by 16 lithium-ion batteries, which can be fully recharged in two hours or swapped out in under 30 minutes. Although it can reach altitudes of up to 3,000 meters, typical operations are conducted at lower altitudes for safety.