Eyes on the skies

While ground-based vehicles are the focal point of most discussions, entrepreneurs in Guangzhou have their sights set on the skies and are working to turn fairy-tale magic carpets into reality.

On April 7, China's Civil Aviation Administration issued the first production certification for a pilotless passenger-carrying aircraft in Guangzhou, which is also the first such license in the global industry of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

The model for which a certification was granted is the EH216-S of the company Ehang in Guangzhou. It made its maiden flight in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi in May.

Dubai has unveiled plans to introduce flying taxis, with full operations set to begin in 2026, setting the stage for a new era of urban mobility.

"We attended this year's Gitex in Dubai and the booth was a star attraction," said Jack Dong, senior manager of public relations at Ehang. Gitex is said to be the biggest technology show in the world, and this year's edition in Dubai ran over five days from Oct 14.

Flying taxis represent the future, Dong said. "This is the dream. …People in Guangzhou and Dubai are similar in how they embrace new technologies and innovations."

Another Guangzhou company, Xpeng Aeroht, also had its futuristic concept cars, which are still in the development phase, on display at Gitex.

"This model is to demonstrate how we transition from the driving mode to the flying mode," said Fanny Tong, senior manager for international communications at Xpeng Aeroht.