Trial flights for Hong Kong’s first two-tonne electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft could take place within the next six months, initially to transport heavy construction materials to remote sites in the New Territories.
Infrastructure consultancy AECOM said once aviation safety for cargo logistics was proved, the potential next step was ecotourism, providing an alternative sustainable option for Victoria Harbour aerial sightseeing tours.
The trial was part of a recently launched regulatory sandbox X aimed at boosting the city’s low-altitude economy.
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Steven Lui, AECOM’s technical director of traffic and transport planning, said he expected the first eVTOL flight in Hong Kong within the next six months.
“From the way we are talking to the government right now, including [the] Civil Aviation Department we are talking about, in the next six months, there will be a first flight,” Lui said. “It’s only the beginning.”
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The government recently selected four unconventional aircraft pilot projects, including AECOM’s collaboration with manufacturer AutoFlight and Chun Wo Construction and Engineering, to be implemented in the first batch of the sandbox.