Aerofugia, the Chengdu-based urban air mobility company backed by automotive giant Geely, is displaying its AE200 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at the Aero Asia show in Zhuhai, underscoring China’s rapid progress in next-generation air transport.
The AE200 — designed to carry between two and six occupants, including a pilot — sits at the centre of Aerofugia’s plans to expand low-altitude transportation across Chinese cities and regions. The aircraft offers a range of 108 nautical miles and a cruise speed of 124 knots.
The first passenger-carrying example, designated AE200-100, completed major structural assembly and avionics installation before rolling out in late September. It has since begun extensive verification work as part of its type-certification campaign.
Testing routes for regional tourism
Aerofugia is also supporting the Sichuan–Chongqing Low-Altitude Cultural Tourism Corridor programme, which runs through 2026. An AW109 helicopter is currently being used to validate the future flight paths intended for the AE200, assessing route efficiency, operational feasibility and regulatory compliance.
The programme aims to strengthen connectivity between popular tourist destinations in the region while evaluating how point-to-point mobility can complement sightseeing flights — data that will inform the eventual rollout of commercial eVTOL tourism routes.
In May, Aerofugia secured an air operator certificate under China’s CCAR-135 rules for helicopter trial flights, giving the company an early operational foothold as it prepares for the transition to eVTOL services.
The AE200’s appearance at Aero Asia marks Aerofugia’s latest step as China positions itself as a global contender in the fast-developing advanced air mobility market.