Deal signed to develop urban air mobility plan

Chinese eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and land) vehicle developer Aerofugia has partnered with a subsidiary of Sichuan Airlines Group to develop urban air mobility solutions, aiming to integrate low-altitude travel with commercial aviation, the company said on Tuesday.

Signed in Chengdu, Sichuan province, the agreement between Aerofugia and Sichuan General Aviation Investment Management Co will focus on establishing demonstration air shuttle routes linking airports with downtown areas and scenic destinations.

Guo Liang, CEO and chief scientist of Aerofugia, a subsidiary of Chinese automaker Geely Technology Group, said the initiative will position eVTOLs as the "capillaries" of urban air networks, enhancing transportation efficiency in the megacity of Chengdu, which has more than 20 million residents.