Media: China set to begin flying car passenger service by year-end

China is poised to see its first flying car carry paying passengers in 2026, driven by government support and a growing number of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) manufacturers, moving the country’s “low-altitude economy” closer to reality.

Seven Chinese companies developing such vehicles are preparing to present their models to customers, marking a significant step in the emerging air mobility sector, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports.

Major cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Chongqing are also preparing to relax regulations for low-altitude air travel businesses, paving the way for wider passenger services.

Momentum increased further on Tuesday when GOVY, a flying car unit of state-owned automaker GAC, announced it had secured 2,000 orders worth over 3.3 billion yuan (US$474 million).

Analysts said the deal boosts confidence that commercial operations could launch sooner than anticipated. 

Current regulations allow these vehicles to carry passengers and operate in low-altitude airspace, defined as commercial airspace below 1,000 meters.

By Jeyhun Aghazada