Indonesia has conducted the first passenger-carrying test flight of the EHang 216-S flying taxi, marking a milestone in the country's push towards future urban air mobility.
The pilotless EHang 216-S completed a demonstration flight with passengers onboard in Tangerang Regency, Banten province, on Wednesday. The flight followed approval from the Ministry of Transportation, which granted a special permit for the autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) to carry people for the first time in Indonesia.
Rudy Salim, executive chairman of Prestige Aviation, the company behind the vehicle's introduction, said further tests would follow. "Our agenda is to continue testing flights, so that this can become a future mode of tourism and transportation," he stated.
Unlike previous test runs involving dummies or empty cabins, this flight marked the first time the electric-powered aircraft flew with real passengers, showcasing its potential as an alternative mode of urban transit. The Directorate of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations under the Ministry of Transportation had earlier cleared the aircraft for the milestone flight.
The EHang 216-S, which resembles an oversized drone, operates without a human pilot. Instead, it relies on artificial intelligence for autonomous flight. The aircraft stands 1.77 metres tall, spans 5.61 metres wide, and can reach speeds of up to 130 km/h. It is designed to carry up to 220 kilograms and can travel 35 kilometres in about 21 minutes.
The vehicle is being considered for use in Indonesia’s planned capital city, Nusantara, and may also serve the tourism sector by offering scenic aerial transport.
Prestige Aviation and Indonesian authorities see the project as part of a broader effort to bring advanced transportation technologies into public service, positioning the country as an early adopter of flying taxi systems in Southeast Asia.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong have committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation in defense, green development, and industrial growth during a high-level meeting in Singapore.
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) has signed an historic agreement to sell 48 units of the 5th generation indigenous fighter jet KAAN to Indonesia. The aircraft will be delivered during a 10-year period.
Türkiye will export 48 KAAN fighter jets to Indonesia under a major defense agreement announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday, marking the country’s biggest international arms deal to date.
Indonesia has revoked the mining licenses of four companies operating in the ecologically sensitive region of southwest Papua, responding to growing public pressure and environmental concerns.
After nearly a decade of talks, Indonesia and the European Union aim to finalize a free trade deal by the end of June.
U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial be cancelled, calling the case a “witch hunt” and suggesting Netanyahu should be pardoned.
The fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel held for a second day on Wednesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that American and Iranian officials are expected to engage in talks next week—marking a possible diplomatic shift after nearly two weeks of regional warfare.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called on the European Union to strengthen trust and cooperation with China, saying the two sides should focus on mutual success rather than rivalry.
Kazakhstan's e-commerce sector has soared to 3.2 trillion tenge (around 6.2 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, marking a sevenfold increase since 2020, according to Deputy Prime Minister Serik Jumanğarin.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Iran’s cooperation with the agency is not optional but a legal requirement.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The European Commission has proposed a new EU Space Act to create a unified and competitive single market for space services and data, in a move to strengthen Europe’s position in the rapidly growing global space sector.
U.S. chipmaker Nvidia has reclaimed its title as the world’s most valuable company after its shares surged to a record high.
A Japanese space company has blamed a malfunctioning laser range finder for the crash of its moon lander earlier this month, marking the second failed lunar landing attempt for ispace in just over two years.
The EU is moving to simplify and unify its space policy with a landmark proposal—the EU Space Act aimed at boosting Europe’s competitiveness in the global space economy and establishing a single, streamlined market for space services.
An historic mission began early on Wednesday (25 June) as astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) for their countries’ first-ever visit. They were joined by NASA veteran Peggy Whitson.
U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial be cancelled, calling the case a “witch hunt” and suggesting Netanyahu should be pardoned.
The fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel held for a second day on Wednesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that American and Iranian officials are expected to engage in talks next week—marking a possible diplomatic shift after nearly two weeks of regional warfare.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called on the European Union to strengthen trust and cooperation with China, saying the two sides should focus on mutual success rather than rivalry.
Kazakhstan's e-commerce sector has soared to 3.2 trillion tenge (around 6.2 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, marking a sevenfold increase since 2020, according to Deputy Prime Minister Serik Jumanğarin.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Iran’s cooperation with the agency is not optional but a legal requirement.
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