ZIGONG, China, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Shanghai Volant Aerotech Co., Ltd. (“Volant”) and Sichuan Airlines Group Low-Altitude Economy Co., Ltd. (“Sichuan Airlines Low Altitude”) signed a purchase agreement for VE25-100 high-grade passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at the Zigong LAE Development Conference.
Under the agreement, Sichuan Airlines Low Altitude will acquire 50 units of the VE25-100 passenger eVTOL, of which 20 are firm orders. The deal marks a strategic milestone for Volant in Southwest China’s low-altitude economy market, underscoring strong endorsement from a major airline operator for Volant’s technological path and commercialization trajectory.
As a leading developer in China’s commercial passenger eVTOL sector, Volant rolled out its first development-batch aircraft, the AC101, in Zigong in May 2025, and successfully completed the country’s first piloted flight for this aircraft class in October of the same year. In May 2026, Volant achieved China’s first piloted full-transition flight at Zigong Lantian Airport, making it the third company globally to master this core technology. By August 2026, Volant rolled out its first airworthiness-standard aircraft, the AC102, which has already completed both its maiden flight and full-transition flight as type certification efforts progress steadily.
As a provincial low-altitude economic investment platform approved by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Sichuan Province. Leveraging Sichuan Airlines’ over 30 years of civil aviation operational experience, maintenance capabilities, and route network resources, it stands as one of the most capable low-altitude economic operators in Southwest China.
This order builds on a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement signed between the two parties in August, covering joint R&D and certification, scenario validation, operational implementation, and market expansion. Both organizations share a commitment to partnering with industry leaders to foster safe, orderly, and sustainable growth.
Prior to the VE25-100 receiving its Type Certificate (TC), the two companies will conduct joint R&D testing and pilot operations aligned with Volant’s steady technical progress. Together, they plan to deploy high-value applications across the Sichuan-Chongqing region, including airport shuttles, urban air mobility (UAM), emergency transport, premium business travel, and low-altitude tourism. Additionally, industrial funds under both entities plan to make joint equity investments in regional low-altitude projects, achieving deep integration between industry expertise and capital to strengthen the foundation for safe, high-quality development in the low-altitude economy.