appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Lam Ka-sing

Trial flights for Hong Kong’s first unmanned 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.
Steven Lui, AECOM’s technical director of traffic and transport planning, said he expected the first unmanned 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.”
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.
Lui pointed out that AECOM was the applicant and project manager, handling aviation-related planning and liaising with stakeholders.
AutoFlight, the Shanghai-based developer of the aircraft, would deliver the vehicle to the city and facilitate its operation and maintenance.
The partnership with Chun Wo Construction and Engineering was crucial because of the industry’s business needs for moving construction materials, with the contractor supporting the formulation of the trial sites.
Powered entirely by electricity, eVTOL aircraft can hover like a helicopter before transitioning to more efficient flight like an aeroplane.
Unlike traditional drones, the two-tonne cargo model is designed to carry heavy payloads, offering a quieter, greener and more cost-effective alternative.
Simon Wong, vice-president of strategy and growth at AECOM, pointed out that deploying the heavy-lift aircraft would directly address the city’s logistical challenges, especially for remote, hilly sites in the Northern Metropolis, where constructing temporary roads was expensive.
Companies previously relied on building temporary roads and using relatively polluting barges to deliver materials to waterfront sites and hillside infrastructures, Wong said.
“It will be another kind of sustainable, or more green measure, to reduce the carbon footprint for the construction projects as well,” he added.
Lui said two-tonne aircraft required infrastructure closer to temporary aviation facilities, including reinforced landing areas, defined safety zones and high-capacity electrical charging solutions.
The consultancy previously mapped out 370km (230 miles) of potential local air corridors and identified 100 vertical landing locations across the city.
The spatial analysis factored in terrain, building height and environmental sensitivities to avoid crossing paths with migrating birds.
Lui added that the CarryAll model was currently the only two-tonne cargo aircraft holding certificates for type, production and airworthiness, which would streamline the future approval of its passenger-carrying counterpart.
The Civil Aviation Department required the submission of flight, test and maintenance plans from operators to ensure strict safety standards were met, Lui said.

Wong pointed out that the government was not funding the sandbox project and it was backed by private investors who saw future commercial returns.
He hoped that test flights carrying passengers in the city could start in two years, as similar trials had already taken place in the Greater Bay Area.
Wong pointed out that the aircraft could eventually replace expensive, fuel-burning helicopters for sightseeing tours around Victoria Harbour and the outlying islands.
“I think the first thing should be focused on tourism benefits, it will be more easy, like candy to the different industries,” Wong said.
A previous demonstration flight with passengers between Shenzhen and Zhuhai cut travel time by 80 per cent, reducing a two-hour road journey to just 20 minutes, Lui added.
He noted that passenger flights for the route might eventually cost around 250 to 300 yuan (US$37 to US$44) per person each way, equating to roughly five yuan per kilometre.
“So it’s very affordable and very green sustainable transport as well,” Lui said.
He added that major tourism operators in the city were already waiting to purchase and test a passenger-carrying aircraft once the manufacturer secured all three regulatory certificates.


HK Electric to cut fuel charge for first time in 4 months as CLP raises rate

Make the Northern Metropolis Hong Kong’s zero-carbon test bed

Hong Kong catching up with Dubai in ‘super-prime’ property sales amid Iran war

Hong Kong’s IOMed poised to play key role in resolving Greater Bay Area disputes

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to test first flying cars carrying heavy cargo within 6 months

AutoFlight’s vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft can hover like a helicopter and transition to flying like an aeroplane. Photo: Handout 

AECOM technical director Steven Lui (left) and vice-president of strategy and growth, Simon Wong, at the company’s Sha Tin office. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Thousands of passenger, cargo drones will fill Hong Kong skies in decade, expert says

Autoflight’s Prosperity was on show at last year’s Super Terminal Expo 2025  in Hong Kong. Eugene Lee

Hong Kong and Nansha target global drone benchmark via cross-border trials

Hong Kong leader John Lee at the launch of a regulatory sandbox for the low-altitude economy at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology last year. Photo: Sam Tsang

A passenger drone on show at last year’s International Automotive and Supply Chain Expo (Hong Kong). Photo: Eugene Lee

News

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Economy

Passenger flights could be next if electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft trials moving building materials to New Territories succeed


Passenger flights could be next if electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft trials moving building materials to New Territories succeed.


.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Passenger flights could be next if electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft trials moving building materials to New Territories succeed

Passenger flights could be next if electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft trials moving building materials to New Territories succeed