Hong Kong held the first test flight of an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft project on 28 August 2026, marking an early trial under the government’s low-altitude economy Regulatory Sandbox X. The project was among the first batch of non-traditional aircraft trials.
The project was jointly launched by Cyberport, Kwoon Chung Intelligent Mobility, a subsidiary of Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings, and EHang Intelligent Technology. The electric aircraft can take off and land vertically without a runway.
i-CABLE News reported that the test took place at the take-off and landing area of Cyberport Waterfront Park. The project was scheduled to conduct several public flights over three days from 28 August to test and demonstrate safety arrangements during regular operations.
The government said it would collect flight data and operational experience during the testing process. The information will be used to develop and refine regulatory rules and frameworks for autonomous eVTOLs and other non-traditional aircraft.
Deputy Financial Secretary Wong Wai-lun, who chairs the Working Group on Developing the Low-altitude Economy, said the government aimed to submit relevant legislation or a bill to the Legislative Council in 2027.
The reports did not say whether passengers were carried or whether the aircraft was operated without people on board. They also did not disclose the flight route, altitude, duration, number of flights or safety results.