Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On March 25, AEROFUGIA, a Chinese eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft developer, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Sichuan General Aviation Investment Management Co., Ltd. ("General Aviation Investment"), a subsidiary of Sichuan Airlines Group, in Chengdu city, according to a post on AEROFUGIA's WeChat account.
The partnership aims to combine AEROFUGIA's expertise in eVTOL development and airworthiness certification with Sichuan Airlines' operational capabilities, accelerating the integration of eVTOL aircraft into China's low-altitude economy.
Under the agreement, both companies will collaborate across six key areas: flight testing, infrastructure operations, market expansion, talent development, maintenance support, and commercial operations. This cooperation is expected to create a blueprint for low-altitude urban mobility and drive the large-scale application of eVTOL aircraft.
As China's largest all-Airbus fleet carrier, Sichuan Airlines handling more than 30 million passenger trips annually. Its subsidiary, General Aviation Investment, co-founded with Wuliangye Group, plays a critical role in advancing low-altitude economic development across Sichuan province.
The partnership will focus on four core areas:
Urban air mobility integration – Both parties will explore "civil aviation + urban air mobility" solutions, using eVTOL aircraft for point-to-point connections between airports, city centers, and scenic destinations. The goal is to establish national-level eVTOL pilot projects, making air taxi services a practical option for urban travelers.
Product testing & certification – The duo will work on eVTOL flight testing, data collection, and reliability verification, expediting the airworthiness certification process.
Industry ecosystem & talent development – The two companies will jointly train professionals for the eVTOL sector, collaborate with research institutions, participate in industry standards development, and expand the low-altitude economy ecosystem.
Operations & infrastructure development – The partners will plan for large-scale eVTOL deployment, establish operational support frameworks, and develop key infrastructure such as vertiports and charging stations. They also aim to contribute to the standardization of smart takeoff and landing facilities.
This collaboration represents a breakthrough for China's eVTOL industry, demonstrating the commercial viability of eVTOLs in real-world aviation operations. AEROFUGIA's cutting-edge eVTOL technology, combined with Sichuan Airlines' expertise in large-scale fleet management, provides a clearer roadmap for the industry's future.
For Sichuan Airlines, this move signals a strategic expansion into low-altitude transportation, positioning the airline at the forefront of next-generation urban mobility solutions.
With China's new airspace classification policies coming into effect, both companies will explore eVTOL applications in key locations such as tourist hotspots, CBDs, urban landmarks, and major transport hubs, laying the foundation for a three-dimensional urban transportation network.
