Vincent Tan Flies Pilotless EHang Air Taxi in Guangzhou 2026

Key Points

• Cardiff City owner and Berjaya Group founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan has become the first Malaysian citizen to travel aboard an autonomous, pilotless electric aircraft.
• The flight took place at the headquarters of autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) developer EHang in Guangzhou, China, using the two-seater EH216-S electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
• Tan participated in the flight as part of a high-level corporate delegation from Berjaya Group, which was led by Tunku Tun Aminah, the daughter of Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Ismail.
• The delegation was hosted by EHang Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer Hu Huazhi alongside senior company executives to explore low-altitude economic opportunities.
• Self-recorded footage shared by Berjaya Corporation showed Tan comparing the flight favourably to conventional helicopter transport, highlighting lower noise levels and smooth operation.
• The event coincides with regulatory steps taken by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), which recently published a draft framework to govern the nation’s low-altitude economy and advanced air mobility sector.

Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) August 25, 2026 — As reported by The Sun and New Straits Times, Berjaya Group founder and Cardiff City Football Club owner Tan Sri Vincent Tan has officially become the first Malaysian citizen to fly aboard a pilotless passenger aircraft. The flight was conducted using the EH216-S, an autonomous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle developed by Chinese aviation firm EHang Holdings Limited, at the company’s headquarters located in Guangzhou, China.

According to details published by Bilyonaryo Business News, Tan was part of an official executive delegation from Berjaya Group. The visiting party was led by Tunku Tun Aminah, daughter of Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Ismail, and was received upon arrival by EHang Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer Hu Huazhi alongside members of the company’s executive leadership team.

How Did Vincent Tan Describe the Autonomous Flight Experience?

In self-recorded video footage released by Berjaya Corporation across its official social media channels, Tan documented his journey from inside the autonomous cabin while using his mobile phone. As reported by New Straits Times, Tan monitored the aircraft’s systems prior to ascent, stating: “OK, we’re gonna take off now,” before adding an exclamation of “Wow” as the vehicle lifted vertically off the ground.

Reflecting on the flight quality, Tan drawn direct comparisons to traditional rotorcraft transportation. As reported by Wargabiz and The Sun, Tan stated: “I think this is better than a helicopter.”

Furthermore, as noted by the New Straits Times, Tan remarked on the acoustic comfort of the passenger cabin during flight. “The noise wasn’t too bad, I didn’t use headphones,” Tan noted, contrasting the electric drive system with the high-decibel acoustic profiles of conventional internal combustion helicopters, which typically necessitate noise-cancelling headsets for passengers.

What Was the Purpose of the Berjaya Delegation’s Visit to EHang?

According to reporting by Bilyonaryo Business News, the executive visit extended beyond a demonstration flight. The Berjaya delegation held formal discussions with EHang leadership to evaluate potential commercial applications for autonomous aircraft technology across Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian region.

The discussions covered operational avenues including urban passenger transit, aerial tourism, sightseeing operations, and emergency logistical services. As reported by Bilyonaryo, Berjaya executives were briefed on EHang’s global airworthiness certification processes, technical research and development updates, and international market deployment strategy.

In a statement posted via LinkedIn, Berjaya Corporation commented on the strategic direction of the technology: “Thank you EHang for the insightful exchange, and we look forward to jointly exploring the immense potential of the low-altitude economy in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, redefining the future of regional air mobility.”

Addressing consumer accessibility, Berjaya Corporation added in a public statement that while pilotless aviation technology remains costly during its initial deployment phase, broader adoption and technical development could make futuristic transit systems, comparable to those depicted in speculative fiction, accessible to the wider public over time.

What Is the Technical Specification of the EHang EH216-S Aircraft?

As detailed by Wargabiz and The Sun, the EH216-S is an autonomous, two-seater electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft designed specifically for short-range, low-altitude urban transit. Unlike traditional fixed-wing aircraft or piloted helicopters, the EH216-S operates without onboard manual controls or a human pilot.

The vehicle relies on centralised command-and-control systems and pre-programmed flight algorithms to manage navigation, route selection, altitude control, and landing sequences. Its vertical take-off and landing functionality eliminates the requirement for conventional runway infrastructure, allowing operations from dedicated urban vertiports or compact landing pads.

How Is Malaysia Preparing for the Integration of Low-Altitude Aviation?

As reported by The Sun and Wargabiz, Tan’s flight comes at a time when Malaysian aviation authorities are actively formulating regulatory frameworks to govern advanced air mobility (AAM) and low-altitude airspace operations.

On August 3, 2026, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) published its proposed “Malaysia Low Altitude Economy Framework” for public consultation. The framework sets out operational guidelines, safety standards, and security protocols for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), eVTOL aircraft, and urban air mobility networks. The public consultation process is scheduled to conclude on September 2, 2026, serving as a precursor to potential statutory integration.

Background of Autonomous Air Taxi Development and Berjaya’s Aviation Interest

The flight by Tan represents a notable milestone in Southeast Asian involvement with autonomous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology. Over recent years, global aerospace manufacturers and regional transportation conglomerates have accelerated investments in low-altitude passenger infrastructure as a potential solution to urban road congestion.

EHang achieved a significant regulatory milestone in late 2023 by securing type certification for the EH216-S from the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC), laying the groundwork for commercial passenger demonstrations in domestic and international markets. The platform relies on redundant flight control systems, multiple electric rotors, and real-time telemetry linked to ground command stations to maintain operational safety without a human pilot on board.

For Berjaya Group—a diversified Malaysian enterprise with established holdings in retail, property development, hospitality, and lottery management—the exploration of advanced air mobility aligns with its existing leisure and infrastructure portfolio. Founder Vincent Tan, who also maintains ownership of English Football League club Cardiff City FC alongside international sports investments, has periodically engaged with emerging infrastructure and transport initiatives across Asia.

Malaysia has hosted preliminary demonstrations of drone technology and prototype air taxis since 2019. However, actual passenger flights involving high-profile corporate figures have remained rare due to strict airworthiness certification requirements and evolving local airspace protocols across Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states.

Predictions: How Will This Development Affect Regional Transportation Stakeholders and Consumers?

The public demonstration flight by a prominent Malaysian business figure, combined with active regulatory drafting by CAAM, signals a transition from theoretical technology assessment to practical market evaluation for autonomous air mobility in Southeast Asia.

Impact on Urban Commuters and Consumers

For the general public and urban commuters, autonomous eVTOL technology represents a prospective long-term alternative to terrestrial transportation in congested metropolitan corridors such as Greater Kuala Lumpur. If commercial air taxi networks achieve full regulatory approval, consumers could eventually gain access to point-to-point aerial transit for airport transfers and regional commutes, significantly reducing transit times. However, initial operational phases are projected to carry premium pricing, limiting immediate access to commercial enterprise clients, high-net-worth individuals, and premium tourism sectors before economies of scale can lower end-user costs.

Impact on Aviation Regulators and Infrastructure Developers

For civil aviation authorities, municipal planners, and infrastructure developers across Malaysia and ASEAN, the event accelerates the timetable for physical and legal preparation. Regulators will be required to establish comprehensive safety certifications, emergency protocols, noise management guidelines, and privacy protections specific to autonomous flight. Concurrently, property developers and transport hubs will face growing demand to integrate vertiport infrastructure—including high-capacity charging stations, secure passenger gates, and dedicated low-altitude air corridors—into existing urban architecture and transportation nodes.