Urban air mobility (UAM) technology company EHang’s VT20 series logistics electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTol) has completed intercity round trip cargo delivery flights between Zhuhai and Guangzhou in China.
The long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) cargo flight route in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) covered a distance of 83km and lasted approximately 55 minutes. This reportedly saves up to 40 minutes compared to road transport and over an hour during peak congestion.
Pilotless logistics
At the 2025 Wanshan Archipelago Low-Altitude Integrated Application Conference, the EHang VT20 series pilotless logistics UAV took off from the UAV Logistics Operations Hub at Tangjiagang Port in Zhuhai, transporting fresh seafood across Zhuhai, Zhongshan, and Guangzhou. It landed at EHang Future City Suigang Port in Guangzhou.
Subsequently, the VT20 series UAV carried medical testing samples from Yunkang Da’an Laboratory and completed the transport mission from Guangzhou’s Suigang Port back to Tangjiagang Port in Zhuhai.
The real-world flights aimed to validate the feasibility of using UAV for long-distance logistics, and highlight the potential for time-sensitive cargo such as fresh produce and pharmaceuticals.
This flight route is operated by Wanyi Tianxia (Zhuhai) Aviation Co, a joint venture by EHang, Zhuhai Wanshan Development Group and Feixing Tianxia (Zhuhai) Technology Company. They formed a strategic partnership last year to advance UAV projects across the Wanshan Archipelago to develop a “Tangjiagang Port Model” for the low-altitude economy.
Previously, a regular UAV delivery route has been opened between Tangjiagang Port and Guishan Island in Zhuhai, saving the transportation time by approximately 80 per cent compared to traditional freight transportation. The VT20 series UAV has now operated safely for over a year in the Wanshan Archipelago, gradually establishing a comprehensive “land-to-island and inter-island” drone logistics network across the region.
“The low-altitude economy is emerging as a strategic focal point for the next wave of industrial development,” said Juan Li, director of the Zhuhai Wanshan District Administrative Committee. “Wanshan District is accelerating efforts to build up a national leading demonstration zone for integrated low-altitude applications in island regions.
“We’re building maritime infrastructure, expanding aerial corridors and low-altitude network across the GBA. We’re also actively exploring diversified scenarios such as aerial tourism, marine ranching, and unmanned island operations to drive innovation and empower sustainable development in Wanshan.”
The logistics route between Tangjiagang in Zhuhai and Suigang Terminal in Guangzhou has completed more than 10 round-trip test flights. Full-route signal testing, supplemented by on-site surveys, has ensured the safety and stability of each flight. Looking ahead, the route is expected to transition into regular operations, supporting the development of a low-altitude logistics network in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Source: smartcitiesworld.net
