Jakarta, INTI – Technological advancements in transportation drew public attention once again as the EHang 216-s, a pilotless flying taxi from China, was officially tested carrying passengers in Tangerang, Banten. Conducted at Phantom Ground Park, PIK 2, on Wednesday June 25, 2025, the test flight marked a significant step in transforming Indonesia’s public transportation landscape. This was the first time the aircraft carried real passengers after obtaining flight demo clearance from the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub).
This milestone not only showcases technological readiness but also raises important questions how safe is it, and how well do current regulations accommodate such futuristic air mobility?
Safety and Legal Framework Under Government Review
Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi emphasized that safety remains the top priority. Since EHang 216-s is classified as public transport, every technical and operational aspect must undergo thorough evaluation.
“Public transportation means safety is always number one,” Dudy asserted during a media session in Jakarta (June 26, 2025).
He also noted that the ministry welcomes innovations in transportation technology, as long as they comply with national safety and regulatory standards.
EHang 216-s: Specs and AI-Powered Flight System
The EHang 216-s is an electric-powered aerial vehicle resembling a giant drone, equipped with Autonomous Aerial Vehicle (AAV) technology meaning it operates without a human pilot. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to fly and navigate independently. Measuring 1.77 meters in height and 5.61 meters in width, the aircraft can carry up to 220 kg, fly as far as 35 km, for 21 minutes, at a top speed of 130 km/h.
While it had previously been demonstrated with mannequins, this was the first time a human passenger was onboard. Indonesian celebrity and Presidential Envoy for Youth and Creative Workers, Raffi Ahmad, joined Prestige Aviation Chairman Rudy Salim for the trial flight.
Tourism and Future Mobility in Sight
Rudy Salim explained that the repeated testing aims to position the EHang 216-s not only as a future mode of public transport but also as a new tourism experience.
“If we don’t start now, we’ll fall behind other countries already using this technology,” he said.
The EHang 216-s is expected to be deployed in Nusantara (IKN), Indonesia’s future smart capital city. It is also targeted as a unique solution for national tourism, offering futuristic travel experiences in various tourist destinations.
Facing Regulatory and Infrastructure Challenges
Despite its promise, the technology faces regulatory and infrastructure hurdles. The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operation, stated that EHang must undergo further evaluation and operational standardization before commercial use.
Legal aspects such as airspace management, passenger safety, certification, and integration with ground transport systems must be carefully planned and regulated.
Conclusion
The debut of EHang 216-s as a flying taxi in Indonesia signals a breakthrough in the transportation sector. However, to fully realize this innovation, the country must focus on safety, regulatory readiness, and building a supportive technology ecosystem.
The first step has been taken. With collaboration between the government, industry, and public, flying taxis may soon become a reality transforming not just how we travel, but how we think about mobility.
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